The departure of the Belgians from Kaia (Kabul) scheduled (updated)
(BRUSSELS2) As planned, the Belgians should leave Kabul airport by the end of October within the framework of the general plan for the withdrawal of ISAF NATO forces which is taking place gradually until the end of 2013, beginning of 2014. This repatriation of the Belgian soldiers will be spread over two weeks, as B2 learned. About 270 Belgian soldiers (out of the 578 of the Belgian contingent in Afghanistan) are thus based in Kabul within the rapid reaction force. 24 have already left on July 27 via Dushanbe aboard a Belgian defense Airbus (they were part of a mixed platoon with 10 Luxembourgers).
120 are scheduled to leave on October 3, another 100 on October 6 and 22 on October 16. They will be replaced by Portuguese (65, who are already present), by Hungarians (190 soldiers who should arrive in mid-October) as well as Albanian, Montenegrin and Macedonian soldiers (Fyrom). In addition, from October, a Frenchman will assume the function of ComKaia, commander of the allied forces at the airport.
