First normal International Flight takes off from Kabul Afghanistan after Taliban takeover

Dozens of international passengers - including British citizens - have flown from Kabul on the first such flight since US forces left the country. The Qatar Airways charter flight landed in the Qatari capital Doha on Thursday, with a second flight on Friday.

During a recent visit to Qatar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for evacuation assistance. Hundreds of Afghan citizens who helped the U.S. military were unable to get out of last month's U.S. air lift. The Reuters news agency reports that 113 people were on the plane.

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said 13 British citizens had arrived in Doha, thanking Qatar for facilitating the flight.

The White House issued a statement confirming that US citizens had flown, and also thanked Qatar that the flight was the result of "cautious and tough diplomacy and commitment".

It said the Taliban was "business and professional" to help US citizens fly out.

Canada also confirmed that 43 of its citizens were on the flight, while the Netherlands said 13 of its nationals were on board.

In a press conference at the airport, Qatari Special Envoy Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani described Kabul International Airport as operational and said it would be a historic day for Afghanistan.

The flights are the first to leave since the stormy US military-led evacuations were completed last month, following the Taliban takeover of the country on August 15.

More than 124,000 foreigners and Afghans who were afraid of Taliban retaliation were flown out of the country. About 100 US citizens were thought to be staying in Afghanistan before the flight.

Photos have also surfaced showing injuries to two journalists who covered a Wednesday protest.

They were reportedly badly beaten after being captured by the Taliban in Kabul.