Georgians with connections to Afghanistan watch in horror as Taliban take over

ATLANTA — After the Taliban took over Afghanistan over the weekend, many Americans and Afghans alike are desperate to get out of the country, but are stuck.

Many Afghanistan veterans told Channel 2′s Elizabeth Rawlins that they are heartbroken to see how quickly the country has been invaded.

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Georgia Insurance Commissioner and Afghanistan veteran John King says he has never felt so helpless.

“I and many other Afghan veterans are really having a hard time with this,” he said.

King says the military police that he trained are the very people who are in danger.

“The two colonels that have sent me messages, at this point, say that since they are senior officials in the Afghan military, they are probably going to get killed. But they are just begging to get their daughters out of the country,” he said.

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Not only are Afghan nationals trying to get out of the country, but so are many Americans who are trapped.

A metro Atlanta business owner says one of her employees went home for a family emergency, and now can’t get back. All commercials flights have been suspended.

“He has family here, a life here. He’s a permanent resident, he should be able to get back,” business owner Melanie Caceres.

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Many people like King and Caceres are desperate to help those in Afghanistan.

“It all feels pretty hopeless and useless, which is pretty scary,” Caceres said.

King says that for those who managed to escape, we need to support refugees in any way we can.

Atlanta veterans react to Taliban takeover of Afghanistan

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