Merkel says Germany must evacuate 10,000 people from Afghanistan

The remarks, made at a closed-door meeting of her Democratist party on Monday and broadcast by meeting participants, reflect growing concern for the bloodshed in Afghanistan after the Taliban captured the capital and declared peace.

“We are witnesses of hard times,” said Merkel. “Now we need to focus on the rescue mission. ”

Merkel said that those in need of evacuation included 2,500 Afghan support workers, as well as human rights activists, lawyers and others whom the government views as endangered if totaling 10,000 remain in the country.

Merkel told her party that Germany must co-operate with countries on the border with Afghanistan to support those who now leave, adding: “This topic will keep us occupied for a very long time. ”

However, Paul Ziemak, secretary general of Merkel's Demostian Union (CDU), said Germany could not fix the situation in Afghanistan through a repeat of the policy of open-door migrants that followed in 2015.

Germany opened its borders six years ago for more than 1 million immigrants, many of them Syrians -- fleeing war and poverty -- a bold move that won Merkel's assessments abroad, but proved controversial in the country and damaged her party's position.

For us, it is clear that 2015 should not be repeated,” said Ziemak for N-tv broadcaster. “

Merkel, in power since 2005, plans to resign after Germany's federal elections on 26 September. Armin Laschet, the CDU candidate in the elections, said Afghanistan was NATO's largest finish since it was formed.

Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Carrenbauer said at the meeting that Germany had deployed special forces and parachutists to help evacuate, adding that it was a highly dangerous “operation” for German troops.

As long as possible, the German Army will evacuate as many people from Afghanistan as possible and maintain the air bridge,” she said, adding that it depends on the United States' willingness to keep the airport open.