A SWINDON army veteran has praised the work of British soldiers after evacuating more than 14,000 people from Kabul.

Sarah Church, who served in Iraq and trained soldiers to go to Afghanistan, was deeply touched by the crisis after the Taliban took control of the country. 

She said: “It’s heartbreaking to see that people, desperate people, who are in extreme danger from the Taliban, aren’t able to get to the airport. 

“I really hope that we can make sure that we provide the safe passage for those people who served in the army, female soldiers, interpreters, those in particular danger for Taliban violence.”

The takeover sparked concerns the Taliban will reimpose the harsh restrictions on women’s rights that existed before the insurgents were ousted in 2001. 

British troops have already left Kabul and US military personnel will be out of Afghanistan before today's deadline set by US President Joe Biden.

“The British soldiers who were doing the evacuation did an amazing job," said Sarah.

"They sent soldiers who are very capable from a combat perspective to do a very dangerous job.

“Everybody worries about our military when they’re deployed, but it’s about getting vulnerable Afghans and others out of the country.”

In an open letter, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he had been “lost in admiration for the heroic efforts of everyone” involved in Operation Pitting, the evacuation efforts to remove UK nationals and Afghan allies from Kabul airport.

Despite the return of the Taliban, Sarah said those killed while serving in Afghanistan did not die in vain. 

She said: “There were two decades of increased freedoms for women, increased transition towards democracy, two decades worth of getting used to having things like a constitution. 

“It wasn’t perfect in Afghanistan, everyone knows that. It’s not really perfect anywhere, but Afghanistan was on a long journey of its own. 

“Those freedoms have been not just taken away, but people now are going to be living far more difficult and dangerous lives as a result of NATO withdrawal.

“It’s important to know that everybody who served in Afghanistan did good in that country and supported two decades of freedom. 

“And those hopes, and those experiences of the Afghan in the last few decades aren’t going to be extinguished overnight.”

British boots first hit Afghan soil in November 2001, as part of a coalition tasked with finding the leaders of al Qaeda in the wake of the deadly 9/11 attacks

She added: “Lots of people did really good work. It’s been cut short too early. 

"They’ve given hope and light to people who know what it feels like to get an education and to have democratic freedom. So that’s something to take away and to be proud of.”