Largest evacuation flight since Aug. 31 takes off from Kabul

A chartered Qatar Airways flight carrying more than 230 passengers, including Afghan and American citizens, took off from Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport on Sunday and is headed to Doha.

Qatari Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwah Al-Khater first announced the departure, and CBS News' Ahmad Mukhtar confirmed the news.

The flight is significant because it's the largest of its kind since the United States completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan on Aug. 31, leaving many concerned whether remaining Afghans and foreigners who were trying to leave the country could still get out with the Taliban in control. There have been reports of the group holding planes outside of Kabul.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

Another Qatari official told Reuters the country "will continue its collaboration with international partners on efforts that ensure freedom of movement in Afghanistan."