California Rep. Darrell Issa announced his office had successfully evacuated an elderly couple trapped in Afghanistan Wednesday
An elderly couple trapped in Afghanistan is returning to San Diego after weeks of being 'harassed and intimidated' by the Taliban, a congressman from California reported.
'This is a cause for celebration and the result of almost countless hours of work under very difficult conditions,' Rep. Darrell Issa announced in a statement Wednesday.
'Our team simply would not give up, and today it paid off and we got them home.'
The couple, who are in their 80s, are among the 33 members of his district he says he has helped escape the country after the Taliban seized control. Their names were withheld to protect Afghan relatives still living in the country.
Further details on how they escaped have not been shared, in an attempt to keep future evacuees safe. Americans and Afghan refugees have managed to flee on charter flights and overland to neighboring countries.
Issa's office reported that the couple had tried for weeks to get through Taliban checkpoints in Kabul and board a plane home, but were 'harassed and intimidated' by the militant group during their attempts.
Their evacuation came after granddaughter Zahul, whose last name was also withheld for security reasons, reached out to Issa's office to report their plight.
The couple, who were in their 80s, had reportedly tried for weeks to board a plane at Kabul's airport, but were stopped an harassed at Taliban checkpoints. Taliban guards can be seen manning a checkpoint outside the airport on Monday
Issa has accused the Biden administration of abandoning Americans in Afghanistan
His office did not say how the couple was able to escape the country.
Roughly 100 Americans are still believed to be trapped in Afghanistan since the chaotic American withdrawal concluded on August 30, and want to leave, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Congress this week.
'While we have made extraordinary progress, but we’re not stopping until everyone comes home,' Issa, who represents the San Diego area, said in a statement.
He has accused the Biden administration of abandoning Americans, including a number of his constituents in the country.
'I represent two incredibly brave American citizens stranded in Afghanistan,' he tweeted on August 31.
'They are both more than 80 years old. I can guarantee President Biden they did not wish to stay behind. They were left behind.'
Issa has disputed claims by Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) that there are around 100 Americans still stranded in Afghanistan, saying
