US launches emergency airlift to rescue Afghan allies at risk of Taliban’s revenge

Evacuation flights start before visas are issued after insurgents make sweeping gains in provinces

America has launched emergency airlifts for Afghans who worked with its armed forces and diplomats, evacuating hundreds who are still waiting for their visas to the United States on military flights.

Only people in the final stages of a long, slow and bureaucratic visa process are eligible for the airlift, but bringing applicants to the continental US in large numbers is still unprecedented in recent years, officials working on the programme say.