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Soccer

Desperate Plea for Afghan Girls Soccer Team's Safety After Kabul Airport Bombing

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As an international coalition of former U.S. military and intelligence officials, congressmen, and humanitarian groups scramble to rescue the Afghanistan national girls soccer team and their families, the situation remains dire. The team members, aged 14-16, were just "footsteps from freedom" when a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport killed 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members. With their lives in danger, the girls and their families must be protected from the Taliban, who have been vague on their policy toward women.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Afghanistan national girls soccer team, along with dozens of family members and soccer federation staff, are in a desperate situation after the Kabul airport bombing.
  • The team members, aged 14-16, were evacuated to Australia last week but still face the risk of being targeted by the Taliban.
  • Farkhunda Muhtaj, captain of the Afghanistan women's national team, has kept in contact with the girls and urges them to stay calm.
  • The rescue effort, dubbed Operation Soccer Balls, is working with other countries, including Australia, France, and Qatar, to find a safe haven for the team.
  • Julie Foudy, former U.S. women's national soccer team captain, has called for support in rescuing the girls, saying it raises awareness of their importance to equality and democracy.
  • The Taliban have set up checkpoints around the airport for crowd control and have facilitated the evacuation of American citizens, but many Afghans don't trust their promises to form an inclusive government.
  • The U.S. military has acknowledged that it was coordinating with the Taliban during the airlift, but the Taliban's policy toward women remains unclear.
  • Nic McKinley, a CIA and Air Force veteran, has criticized the U.S. focus on relocating Afghans who assisted American forces, saying that others, like the little girl who wants to play soccer, also need help.
  • Robert McCreary, a former congressional chief of staff, feels personally responsible for the team's safety, saying that the U.S. helped the girls go to school and play soccer, and now they need to be protected.

Statistics:

  • 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members were killed in the Kabul airport bombing.
  • 133 people, including 26 youth team members, adults, and children, including infants, are part of the rescue effort.
  • 50 Afghan families have already been secured housing through DeliverFund, a nonprofit organization.
  • The team was formed in 2007 and includes members aged 14-16.
  • The Taliban's policy toward women remains unclear, but they have not yet issued sweeping repressive edicts.

Sources:

  • Radio France Internationale (http://www.english.rfi.fr/)
  • SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info)
  • AP (Associated Press)

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