Desperate efforts underway to rescue Afghan's women soccer team
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The coalition of former US military and intelligence officials, US congressmen, US allies, humanitarian groups, and the Afghanistan women's national team captain is constantly trying to evacuate the Afghanistan women football team, reports Associated Press. Most of the women's team were evacuated to Australia last week, but those aged 14-16.
An effort to rescue the team, along with their family members, from the Taliban has shattered miserably after a suicide bomb blast occurred at the Kabul airport last week. The team is now moving from place to place at a moment's notice in desperation to evade the Taliban.
According to Farkhunda Muhtaj, these women and their families were targeted not only for playing football, as it is forbidden for girls, but also for being advocates for girls and active members of their communities. She added that they are devastated and hopeless about their situation. Muhtaj is the captain of the Afghanistan women's national team and lives in Canada.
She said that there had been three failed attempts to rescue them in recent days and were "footsteps" away from freedom before the bomb blast occurred. Mainly the size of the group is what hindering their rescue. The group strength is 133, including 26 youth team members and adults, other children and infants. Many don't have passports or other necessary travel documents.
Robert McCreary, who worked with US special forces in Afghanistan, said that everything needed to protect the girls and get them to safety is to be done. He said that the US's mission Operation Soccer Balls is working with other countries, hoping to settle the girls in the US eventually. France, Australia and Qatar also have expressed their interest in helping.
He also urged the Taliban to ease the group's exit as goodwill. He believes that if a protective bubble is built around these women and young girls, the world will stand up for them. He also said that the US rescue team feels responsible and wants to protect them now since the country helped the girls go to school and play football.
Julie Foudy, former US women's national football team captain, said that the rescue efforts raise the visibility of the women, importance to their equality, democracy etc., valued in the US. She added that this was the moment for people to come together and do what was right.
The suicide bomb blast in Kabul airport last week had killed 169 Afghans and 13 US service members.