Thousands of Americans stayed in Kabul, and Washington told them to go to the airport to meet the challenge of the Taliban. But for the White House press secretary Jen Psaki, they definitely did not “strand”.
U.S. evacuation is still in full swing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. Despite overcrowding, deaths and runway closures at the airport earlier last week, the U.S. government seems to have made strides. President Joe Biden said on Sunday that 11,000 Americans, citizens of U.S. allies and Afghan refugees spent 36 hours on the weekend.
Despite this, thousands of Americans have not yet arrived at the airport.U.S. officials are not sure how many people remain in Kabul, but Secretary of State Anthony Blinken set this number as “About a few thousand” In an interview with NBC News on Sunday.
Asked on Monday if Biden has left these Americans “stranded” By withdrawing U.S. troops in front of civilians, Psaki gave a concise and quick reply to Fox News reporter Peter Dussie.
PSAKI: “I think it is irresponsible to say that Americans are trapped. They are not.” DOOCY: “‘No Americans are trapped’ is the White House’s official position on what is currently happening in Afghanistan?” pic.twitter.com/0FEq5VkO6V
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 23, 2021
“I think it is irresponsible to say that Americans are trapped. They are not,” Psaki replied that US officials have contacted these allegedly “stranded” Americans use phone calls, text messages, and emails.
“‘No Americans are trapped’ is the White House’s official position on the situation in Afghanistan?” Dorsey asked.
“We already know very well that we will not leave Americans who want to go home,” Psaki responded.
Despite Psaki’s statement, Americans in Kabul have been required to go to the city’s airport on their own since the State Department last Wednesday. warn U.S. forces can’t “Ensure safe passage” Pick them up at the airport.Although the British and French troops in Kabul had dispersed into the city to find their citizens, the U.S. military only launched a few helicopter missions to retrieve the Americans. Biden refused on Sunday because “Tactical” Reason-whether to send troops into the city.
So blink recognize On Sunday, the United States basically counted on the grace of the Taliban to allow Americans to pass through their checkpoints and arrive at the airport.Many unconfirmed reports indicate that the militant group did not make this easy. Some reports indicate that its fighters are soliciting bribes, while other reports claim that American women are trying to travel. Assault.
Although Biden said the Taliban had “In general” Allowing Americans to arrive at the airport, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that some American citizens have experienced “Difficult encounter” With Islamic fighters.
To further complicate the issue is that Al-Qaeda terrorists are clearly present in Kabul-according to the United Nations report And the Pentagon’s statement — and the jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State — according to national security adviser Jack Sullivan — are in the Afghan capital.
The Biden administration initially promised to completely withdraw US troops from Afghanistan by August 31. As this date approaches, President Biden admitted on Sunday that negotiations in Washington have shifted to possible extensions.However, the Taliban refused to accept any further delays and warned that there would be “result” If the deadline is missed.
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