In an interview with Chris Wallace today on “Fox News Sunday,” U.S. House Rep Michael McCaul (R-TX) said that the Taliban is holding six airplanes carrying Americans and Afghan refugees “hostage” at an airport in Afghanistan.
CBS’ Christina Ruffini appeared to confirm the report with a six part tweet that began, “CBS has learned multiple flights are being held on the ground at the Mazar-i-Sharif airport in Northern Afghanistan… by the Taliban.”
U.S. Sen Ted Cruz (R-TX) quote tweeted Ruffini and responded to the news by saying that, “Joe Biden abandoned Americans in Afghanistan.”
“Members of Congress, including me and my office, have been working around the clock to get them out – and for days Biden’s State Dept. couldn’t even get out of its own way,” Cruz insisted.
Cruz added, “Now there are deeply disturbing reports of a hostage crisis.”
Joe Biden abandoned Americans in Afghanistan. Members of Congress, including me and my office, have been working around the clock to get them out – and for days Biden's State Dept. couldn't even get out of its own way. Now there are deeply disturbing reports of a hostage crisis. https://t.co/EMGd5wWGxs
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 5, 2021
Fox News’ Kayleigh McEnany was also one of several conservative voices to respond to the news:
“Wow! But I thought the Taliban were our ‘Afghan partners’? Anyone with common sense could have seen this coming … “
“The Taliban is basically holding them hostage to get more out of the Americans…”
Wow! But I thought the Taliban were our “Afghan partners”? Anyone with common sense could have seen this coming …
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) September 5, 2021
"The Taliban is basically holding them hostage to get more out of the Americans…” ⬇️ https://t.co/8xu8hZVRn9
The New York Post reported on the exchange between McCaul and Wallace:
McCaul, the ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on “Fox News Sunday” that the flights have been cleared by the US State Department to depart but “the Taliban will not let them leave the airport.”
“In fact, we have six airplanes at Mazar-i-Sharif airport, six airplanes, with American citizens on them as I speak, also with these interpreters, and the Taliban is holding them hostage for demands right now,” the Texas congressman told host Chris Wallace.
Wallace questioned McCaul on what demands the Taliban are making before allowing the flights to leave.
“Well, they are not clearing airplanes to depart. They’ve sat at the airport for the last couple days, these planes, and they’re not allowed to leave,” he said.
“We know the reason why is because the Taliban want something in exchange. This is really, Chris, turning into a hostage situation where they’re not going to allow American citizens to leave until they get full recognition from the United States of America,” he continued.
Rep. Mike McCaul (R-TX), Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee: “We have six airplanes at Mazar Sharif Airport, six airplanes with American citizens on them as I speak, also with these interpreters, and the Taliban is holding them hostage for demands right now.” pic.twitter.com/L9bB9PoVsE
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) September 5, 2021
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