US Secretary of Defence calls Abu Dhabi Crown Prince to offer thanks

Lloyd Austin expressed gratitude for the UAE's help in extracting US citizens from Afghanistan

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said the UAE has played a significant role in ensuring people's safe departure from Afghanistan. AP

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, received a phone call on Tuesday from US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin.

Mr Austin expressed his gratitude to the UAE for its support of the recent operation to fly US citizens out of Afghanistan.

The UAE used its aircraft and humanitarian compound to help with the extraction of US citizens as well as other nationalities, diplomats, humanitarian workers and Afghan refugees. The Emirates also helped them in their onward journeys.

Mr Austin said the UAE played a significant role in ensuring their safe evacuation.

The Pentagon completed its mission from Kabul airport late on Monday, bringing to an abrupt end to its two-decade military intervention in Afghanistan and leaving the country once more in the hands of the Taliban.

Afghan evacuees in Abu Dhabi: in pictures

Many young Afghan evacuees have been brought to the UAE with their families for safety, after the Taliban seized control of their country.

Afghan evacuees have been brought to Emirates Humanitarian City after fleeing their home nation.

An Afghan boy with a soft toy waits at the humanitarian compound just outside the UAE capital.

A young Afghan girl waits near her family, alongside the other evacuees.

Some evacuees arrived without some family members, as Afghan nationals were extracted from their home country.

Massoud and his children wait at the Afghan evacuee centre, as thousands of people are processed.

Afghan women and children were prioritised in the evacuation.

The reception hall at Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi, where evacuees from Afghanistan are being brought. All photos Victor Besa / The National

An Afghan evacuee waits at the Emirates Humanitarian City, Abu Dhabi.

UAE medical workers work hard to make sure everyone arriving at the Afghan evacuee centre is healthy.

UAE health workers are attending to any evacuees needing medical assistance.

Evacuees wait to be processed at the humanitarian camp just outside Abu Dhabi.

Emirates Humanitarian City, Abu Dhabi.