Biden to Keep Troops in Until US Evacuees Out

World

August 19th, 6:34am

Asharq Al-Awsat

President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting on reducing gun violence, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Monday, July 12, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo)

President Joe Biden says he’s committed to keeping US troops in Afghanistan until every American is evacuated, even if that means maintaining a military presence there beyond his Aug. 31 deadline for withdrawal. In an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on Wednesday, Biden said that the US will do “everything in our power” to get Americans and US allies in the nation out before the deadline. Pressed repeatedly on how the administration would help Americans left in the nation after Aug. 31, Biden finally affirmed, “if there’s American citizens left, we’re gonna stay till we get them all out.” Up to 15,000 Americans remain in Afghanistan after the Taliban took full control of the nation. The Biden administration has received criticism for the scenes of violence and disorder in recent days as thousands attempted to flee while the Taliban advanced, reported The Associated Press. But during the same interview, Biden suggested there wasn’t anything the administration could’ve done to avoid such chaos. “The idea that somehow, there’s a way to have gotten out without chaos ensuing, I don’t know how that happens,” he said.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3140191/biden-keep-troops-until-us-evacuees-out