During a press conference at the Istana with US Vice-President Kamala Harris, who is in Singapore until Tuesday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that Singapore will offer A330 tanker aircraft to help US airlift evacuees from Afghanistan
The two leaders had met to reaffirm the excellent state of bilateral relations as well as to discuss several issues, including defence and cyber security.
PM Lee said the US’ intervention 20 years ago has stopped terrorist groups from using Afghanistan as a base.
“For this, Singapore is grateful. We hope Afghanistan does not become an epicentre for terrorism again,” he said.
Singapore’s offer of the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (A330 MRTT) to help with evacuation efforts comes after Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, fell to the Taleban on Aug 15.
The day after, the Taleban declared from the presidential palace that the 20-year war in Afghanistan was over and that it would proclaim the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
In response, thousands of people swarmed the passenger terminal of Kabul’s international airport in the hope of getting an evacuation flight. These included Afghans who had helped the US and its allies over the past two decades by working as translators for military operations.
