Afghan Flights Delayed as Snow Blankets Kabul Airport

A man cycles through Kabul as the first snow of the winter descends on the Afghan capital (AFP/Mohd RASFAN)
A man cycles through Kabul as the first snow of the winter descends on the Afghan capital (AFP/Mohd RASFAN)
TT

Afghan Flights Delayed as Snow Blankets Kabul Airport

A man cycles through Kabul as the first snow of the winter descends on the Afghan capital (AFP/Mohd RASFAN)
A man cycles through Kabul as the first snow of the winter descends on the Afghan capital (AFP/Mohd RASFAN)

Flights to and from the Afghan capital were delayed or cancelled Thursday after the city was blanketed by overnight snow.

Kabul's streets were also largely empty as shop owners, government employees and workers stayed indoors to seek shelter from the freezing weather, AFP said.

The cold snap has added to Afghanistan's woes, with the United Nations and other organizations warning millions will need food and shelter from the country's harsh winter.

On Thursday, dozens of workers cleared snow from the single runway at Kabul's airport, which has slowly resumed business after being trashed in August when tens of thousands of people scrambled to evacuate as the Taliban returned to power.

"Flights have been delayed as there is snow on the runway but soon we will clear it," said Imamuddin Ahmadi, spokesman for the Ministry of Transport and Aviation.

Kabul has missed regular snowfall in recent years, as thick clouds of smog from coal and wood fires keep temperatures high in the immediate vicinity.

But the forecast for the coming days suggests temperatures will dip further in the capital and neighboring provinces.



Russia Says It is Unhappy with Turkish Arms Supplies to Ukraine

FILE PHOTO: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a meeting in Moscow, Russia October 28, 2024. Alexander Nemenov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a meeting in Moscow, Russia October 28, 2024. Alexander Nemenov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
TT

Russia Says It is Unhappy with Turkish Arms Supplies to Ukraine

FILE PHOTO: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a meeting in Moscow, Russia October 28, 2024. Alexander Nemenov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a meeting in Moscow, Russia October 28, 2024. Alexander Nemenov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Russia is "surprised" that Türkiye continues to supply Ukraine with weapons while trying to act as a mediator in the conflict between the two countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the Hurriyet newspaper.
"Turkish weapons are used by the Ukrainian armed forces to kill Russian military personnel and civilians," Lavrov said in an interview published on Friday.
"This situation cannot but cause surprise, given the Turkish government's statements that it is ready to provide mediation services," he said.