Finland to send troops to Afghanistan for safe evacuation

The Finnish government is preparing to send troops to Afghanistan to ensure safe evacuation of the Finnish citizens and residents from Kabul, said Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

"The government met today ( Thursday) and decided that a team of Defence Forces is needed in Kabul, that is, a force to guard Finnish workers, our own team, on the ground and if possible to help with evacuations from inside Kabul airport," Haavisto said.

Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen also spoke at the press conference.

The government on Thursday submitted a report to the parliament in this regard as per the requirement stipulated in the law to send military forces abroad under this circumstance, said the the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in a press release.

The Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs will discuss the matter on Friday morning and later it will be proceed to the plenary session of the parliament for approval.

After the parliamentary approval, the President will make final decision in this regard.

According to the proposal the force will include armed soldiers and will work only at Kabul International Airport and its adjacent areas.

The force will protect the Finnish team to operate its evacuation from the Kabul Airport.

More than 30 Finnish citizens have been evacuated from Afghanistan so far and about 60 people are still waiting.

Meanwhile, the President and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy on Thursday discussed Finland’s evacuation operation at Kabul Airport, said an official press release.