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Kabul From Above: Satellite Images Show Desperate Rush To Escape Afghanistan

Evacuations from Kabul airport have gained momentum as the United States and its allies rush to evacuate their citizens and at-risk Afghans in a massive logistical operation that has led to chaotic scenes just over a week since the Taliban captured the Afghan capital.

Although the militant group has warned that it will not accept any extension to the date set for the withdrawal of international forces in Afghanistan, U.S. President Joe Biden is facing pressure to extend the August 31 deadline to evacuate thousands seeking to flee the country.
Crowds of people wait on the tarmac at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport with a C-17 transport aircraft ready for takeoff on August 23. 
1 Crowds of people wait on the tarmac at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport with a C-17 transport aircraft ready for takeoff on August 23. 
People attempt to get into the airport in Kabul in order to flee the country on August 23.
2 People attempt to get into the airport in Kabul in order to flee the country on August 23.
People line up to board a military aircraft as they are evacuated from Kabul airport on August 23.
3 People line up to board a military aircraft as they are evacuated from Kabul airport on August 23.
Large crowds have been congregating along the eastern edge of the airport in Kabul.
4 Large crowds have been congregating along the eastern edge of the airport in Kabul.
Crowds of people gather outside the airport on August 23.
5 Crowds of people gather outside the airport on August 23.
British and Canadian soldiers help an Afghan climb onto a wall as he and others wait near the part of the airport that is controlled by foreign military forces. 
6 British and Canadian soldiers help an Afghan climb onto a wall as he and others wait near the part of the airport that is controlled by foreign military forces. 
People struggle to get into Hamid Karzai International Airport in the hope of fleeing the country on the night of August 23.
7 People struggle to get into Hamid Karzai International Airport in the hope of fleeing the country on the night of August 23.
An aerial view of people moving through checkpoints at the airport in Kabul.
8 An aerial view of people moving through checkpoints at the airport in Kabul.
People wait to be evacuated at Hamid Karzai International Airport.
9 People wait to be evacuated at Hamid Karzai International Airport.
A satellite image from August 23 shows crowds of people descending on the airport in Kabul. 
10 A satellite image from August 23 shows crowds of people descending on the airport in Kabul. 
People can be seen boarding a transport plane amid the evacuations at the airport.
11 People can be seen boarding a transport plane amid the evacuations at the airport.
Families begin boarding a U.S. Air Force transport plane during evacuations at Hamid Karzai International Airport.
12 Families begin boarding a U.S. Air Force transport plane during evacuations at Hamid Karzai International Airport.
Crowds and traffic gather at the northern gate of the international airport in Kabul. 
13 Crowds and traffic gather at the northern gate of the international airport in Kabul. 
U.S. Marines provide assistance at an Evacuation Control Checkpoint (ECC) amid the exodus from the airport. 
14 U.S. Marines provide assistance at an Evacuation Control Checkpoint (ECC) amid the exodus from the airport. 
Afghans board a U.S. transport plane during an evacuation on August 22. 
15 Afghans board a U.S. transport plane during an evacuation on August 22. 
A U.S. Air Force aircrew prepares to load eligible evacuees aboard a transport plane on August 21.
16 A U.S. Air Force aircrew prepares to load eligible evacuees aboard a transport plane on August 21.
A U.S. Marine provides water to families during an evacuation at Kabul airport on August 22. 
17 A U.S. Marine provides water to families during an evacuation at Kabul airport on August 22. 
Large groups of people await evacuation at the airport in Kabul on August 23.
18 Large groups of people await evacuation at the airport in Kabul on August 23.
Crowds attempt to get into to the airport on August 23.
19 Crowds attempt to get into to the airport on August 23.
An aerial image shows large crowds gathered outside Kabul's international airport amid evacuations on August 23.
20 An aerial image shows large crowds gathered outside Kabul's international airport amid evacuations on August 23.
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