London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Apr 11, 2026

Afghanistan: Thousands of protesters descend on central London

Afghanistan: Thousands of protesters descend on central London

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of central London in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan on Saturday.

Signs which read “Stop the oppression of Afghan women”, “Afghanistan is bleeding” and “US & Nato failed” were held high as people marched through the capital in protest over the weekend.

Afghanistan flags were waved while others wore the country’s colours green, red and black at the demonstration.

Afghanistan flags were waved while others wore the country’s colours green, red and black at the demonstration


Crowds gathered at Parliament Square, Oxford Circus and Hyde Park as thousands showed their support to the ongoing Afghanistan crisis.

The Taliban have taken over Kabul after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the Presidential Palace and sought safety in United Arab Emirates with his family.

Ghani spoke from exile to say he left to avoid bloodshed and denied reports he had escaped with heaps of money on his person.

Kabul airport has descended into chaos as many have scrambled to try and escape the Taliban.

Afghans were crushed to death as they tried to flee the country, SkyNews reported over the weekend.

It comes after Afghans were seen clinging to planes in a desperate attempt to escape.

Specially deployed US troops have been in control of the airport while evacuations are being made.

On Friday, Boris Johnson reassured everyone the UK government were working around the clock to assist with the Afghanistan crisis.

Crowds gathered at Parliament Square, Oxford Circus and Hyde Park

“I can tell you that the whole of the government has been working virtually around the clock hitting the phones to do what we can.” He told the cameras.

“I’m not going to pretend to you that it’s easy. As you can imagine, challenges are formidable.”

The Prime Minister also defended the Foreign Secretary amid the criticism building around Raab enjoying a summer holiday in Greece at the same time the Taliban took over Afghanistan.

He said he “absolutely” had confidence in Raab when Mr Johnson was grilled by broadcasters about the situation in Afghanistan.

It comes amid reports the minister for Afghanistan Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon was on a staycation in the UK.

Elsewhere, US president Joe Biden vowed to bring home the Americans trapped in Afghanistan.

“We will get you home,” he said.

The US president said he wants to withdraw American troops by August 31 but he will continue to evacuate until he has brought home all the American citizens.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Starmer and Trump Hold Strategic Talks on Securing Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Unofficial Australia Visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Expected to Stir Tensions with Royal Circles
Pipeline Attack Cuts Significant Share of Saudi Arabia’s Oil Export Capacity
UK Stocks Rise on Ceasefire Momentum and Renewed Focus on Diplomacy
UK to Hold Further Strategic Talks on Strait of Hormuz Security
Starmer Voices Frustration as Global Tensions Drive Up UK Energy Costs
UK Students Voice Concern Over Proposal for Automatic Military Draft Registration
Rising Volatility Drives Uncertainty in UK Fuel and Petrol Prices
UK Moves to Deploy ‘Skyhammer’ Anti-Drone System to Strengthen Airspace Defense
New Analysis Explores UK Budget Mechanics in ‘Behind the Blue’ Feature
Man Arrested After Four Die in Channel Crossing Tragedy
UK Tightens Immigration Framework with New Sponsor Rules and Fee Increases
UK Foreign Secretary Highlights Impact of Intensified Strikes in Lebanon
UK Urges Inclusion of Lebanon in US-Iran Ceasefire Framework
UK Stocks Ease as Ceasefire Doubts in Middle East Weigh on Investor Confidence
UK Reassesses Cloud Strategy Amid Criticism Over Limited Support Measures
UK Calls for Full and Toll-Free Access Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Starmer Signals Strategic Shift for Britain Amid Escalating Iran-Linked Tensions
UK Issues Firm Warning to Russia Over Covert Underwater Military Activity
OpenAI Halts Stargate UK Project, Casting Uncertainty Over Britain’s AI Expansion Plans
Starmer Voices Frustration Over Global Pressures Driving UK Energy Costs Higher
UK Deploys Military Assets to Protect Undersea Cables From Suspected Russian Threat
Canada Aligns With US, UK and Australia as Europe Prepares Major Digital Border Overhaul
Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance Sparks Fresh Speculation
Starmer Warns Sustained Effort Needed to Ensure US–Iran Ceasefire Holds
UK to Partner with Shipping Industry to Rebuild Confidence in Strait of Hormuz, Cooper Says
UK Interest Rate Expectations Ease Following US–Iran Ceasefire Agreement
Starmer Signals Major Effort Needed to Fully Reopen Strait of Hormuz During Gulf Visit
UK Fuel Prices Face Ongoing Volatility Amid Global Pressures and Domestic Factors
Kanye West’s Planned Italy Festival Appearance Draws Debate After UK Entry Ban
Smuggling Routes Shift Toward Belgium as Migrant Crossings to UK Evolve
Ceasefire Offers Potential Relief for UK Fuel and Food Prices Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
Iran Conflict Raises Questions Over UK’s Global Influence and Military Preparedness
Senator McConnell Visits Kentucky to Highlight Federal Investment in Local Projects
Kanye West Barred from Entering UK as Legal Grounds Come into Focus
UK Denies Visa to Kanye West After Sponsors Withdraw from Wireless Festival
Trump-Era Forest Service Restructuring Leads to Closure of UK Lab Focused on Kentucky Woodland Health
Foreign Students in the UK Describe Harsh Living Conditions and Financial Pressures
Reform UK Proposes Visa Restrictions on Nations Pursuing Reparations Claims
Public Reaction Divides Over UK Decision to Bar Kanye West
Calls Grow for UK to Review US Base Access Following Concerns Over Escalating Rhetoric
UK Indicates It Will Not Permit Use of Its Bases for Potential US Strikes on Iran’s Energy Infrastructure
UK Prime Minister Defends Decision to Bar Kanye West, Questions Festival Booking
UK Accelerates Efforts to Harmonise Medical Technology Rules with United States
Wireless Festival Cancelled After Kanye West Denied Entry to the United Kingdom
Australia’s most decorated living soldier was arrested at Sydney Airport and charged with five counts of war-crime murder for the killing of unarmed Afghan civilians
The CIA’s Secret Technology That Can Find You by Your Heartbeat Successfully Locates Downed Airman
Operation Europe: Trump Deploys Vance to Hungary to Save the EU
King Charles Faces Criticism From Some UK Christians Over Absence of Easter Message
Former UK Defence Secretary Raises Concerns Over Ability to Counter Iran Missile Threat
×