Switzerland has sent a small detachment of special forces to Afghanistan to help secure the evacuation of any remaining Swiss citizens and Afghanis who have been working with Swiss aid agencies.
The secretive group, known as AAD 10, is deployed abroad. Often used to secure embassies and missions. They defended the Swiss Embassy in Libya during the uprising against Ghaddafi, for example.
There are about 90 members - it’s thought 10 have flown to the region. The foreign minister says they are at the airport in Kabul.
The government is being criticized for saying it will only allow in 230 from Afghanistan. They will be those who have worked with Switzerland.
The Defence Minister, Karin Keller-Sutter, says the priority will be local staff and Swiss nationals. She is not ruling out the government may allow more refugees in at a later date.
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