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OTTAWA – A flight with elite members of the Canadian Armed Forces and staff from the Canadian Embassy in Afghanistan landed in Ottawa this evening, according to the Department of National Defense.
The flight, which took off from Cologne, Germany, became the fifth flight known to repatriate Canadian citizens and Afghans who have helped the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Embassy return to Canada since the federal government began emergency flights on August 4.
An Ottawa airport official told CTV News that no Afghans were on board the flight.
Another flight touched down in Toronto tonight carrying Afghans who came to Canada under special immigration measures, according to Global Affairs Canada.
The Canadian embassy in Afghanistan was closed on Sunday because the federal government cited “serious challenges” to its ability to provide safety and security at the embassy.
Today, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said there are still members of the Canadian Armed Forces in Afghanistan, but said all visa processing for Afghans wishing to leave for Canada is being done remotely.
Trudeau also added that as of Monday at least 807 Afghans have been evacuated and 500 have arrived in Canada, although thousands remain stranded in an increasingly volatile and desperate situation.
The Taliban seized almost all of Afghanistan in just over a week and made a breach in the capital on Sunday.
With files from the Canadian Press and Rachel Aiello
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