US to begin evacuation of Afghans who helped US military

Former Afghan interpreters hold banners during a protest against the US government and Nato in Kabul, Afghanistan (Mariam Zuhaib/AP)

The Biden administration is set to begin evacuations of Afghans who aided the US military effort in the nearly 20-year war during the last week of July, according to a senior administration official.

The official, who was not authorised to comment publicly, said on Wednesday that Operation Allies Refuge flights out of Afghanistan will be available first for special immigrant visa applicants already in the process of applying for US residency.