If necessary US troops could remain in Kabul past Aug 31: Biden


Washington, Aug 19 (IANS): Amid mounting criticism from the public over the US drawdown from Afghanistan, President Joe Biden said that Washington is committed to evacuating Americans and if necessary, troops could remain in Kabul past the August 31 deadline.

Biden defended his decision to withdraw the US troops from Afghanistan while speaking to ABC News on Wednesday, reports Xinhua news agency.

Asked if the US drawdown could have been handled better, Biden replied: "No, I don't think it could have been handled in a way that ... but the idea that somehow, to have gotten out without chaos ensuing, I don't know how that happens."

"One of the things we didn't know is what the Taliban would do in terms of trying to keep people from getting out," he said.

"They're cooperating, letting American citizens get out... But we're having some more difficulty having those who helped us when we were in there."

He also said that the US military could extend its mission in Afghanistan beyond August 31 to evacuate Americans on the ground.

Pushed on what he would do if there were Americans remaining after August 31, he said: "If there's American citizens left, we're gonna stay till we get them all out."

Of Afghan allies the US is looking to evacuate, he said: "The commitment holds to get everyone out that, in fact, we can get out and everyone who should come out. And that's the objective. That's what we're doing now. That's the path we're on. And I think we'll get there."

Also on Wednesday, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said that US military flights had evacuated over 2,000 people in the last 24 hours and nearly 5,000 people over the last several days.

The US Embassy in Afghanistan earlier in the day issued a security alert saying "the US government cannot ensure safe passage to the Hamid Karzai International Airport".

According to media reports, up to 15,000 Americans still remain in Afghanistan.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • KRPrabhu, Bangaluru/Mangalore

    Thu, Aug 19 2021

    ಊರು ಹೊತ್ತಿ ಉರಿದು ಹೋದ ಮೇಲೆ ಶಾನುಭೋಗ ಶಿಳ್ಳೆ ಹೊಡೆದನಂತೆ...ಹಾಗೆ ಆಯಿತು ಈ ಬಿಡೆನ್ ಕತೆ...

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Joel, Mangalore

    Thu, Aug 19 2021

    How do you know? Where you in the US army?

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Langoolacharya., Belman / Washington, DC.

    Thu, Aug 19 2021

    Charles , If Afghan's Taliban declare Joseph Biden as Emir of Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan.....I have no problem him sending more troops there by using our tax-money.... US was in cease fire in Afghanistan with Taliban for over a year now....Taliban were not attacking US soldiers nor US was attacking Taliban... US lost 4500 Soldiers in combat in Afghanistan , while they were fighting Taliban in first 18 years...perhaps lakhs of Taliban and Civilian Afghans were also killed... Last 2 years Afghan Soldiers were in combat role...not Americans... Don't think US soldiers can't fight because What Afghan Soldiers did what they did in spite being trained by US... When Afghan soldiers cant fight for their own Country , why Americans fight and give their life for Afghanistan's freedom???...Does it makes sense Charles????... Hmm... ...Tak...Takk...

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  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Thu, Aug 19 2021

    Mr. Biden, your troops wherever they are placed are getting good salary and perks and only loot the country with just some show off. Same thing happened in Afghanistan.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse


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