Biden to speak Thursday about Afghanistan amid swift US pullout
July 8, 2021: On Thursday, President Joe Biden will deliver his most comprehensive comment to date on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, a result that raises fears of a civil war there and is being criticized by Republicans.
A White House official said Biden would update the American people on the situation and that no major decision could be expected. The Democratic president, who is scheduled to speak at 1:45 a.m. (1745 GMT), was pressured by critics to elaborate further on his decision to step down.
The United States abandoned Bagram Airfield, the country’s longest-running military base, last weekend, effectively ending America’s longest-running war. The Pentagon says the withdrawal is 90% complete.
Washington agreed to withdraw from the agreement reached last year under Biden’s Republican predecessor, Donald Trump. Biden fired military leaders who wanted to maintain a large presence in support of the Afghan security forces and prevent Afghanistan from becoming a stage for extremist groups. Following Biden’s April 20 conflict and the order to withdraw US troops by September 11, the militant movement against the defeated Afghan forces has reaped significant benefits after peace talks broke out. The commander of US forces in Afghanistan, General Austin Miller, warned last week that the country could be heading for a civil war.
Washington agreed to withdraw from the agreement reached last year under Biden’s Republican predecessor, Donald Trump. Biden fired military leaders who wanted to maintain a large presence in support of the Afghan security forces and prevent Afghanistan from becoming a stage for extremist groups. Following Biden’s April 20 conflict and the order to withdraw US troops by September 11, the militant movement against the defeated Afghan forces has reaped significant benefits after peace talks broke out. The commander of US forces in Afghanistan, General Austin Miller, warned last week that the country could be heading for a civil war.
“Early tomorrow afternoon, the president will make comments on our continued drawdown efforts and ongoing security and humanitarian assistance to the ANDSF and the Afghan people.” ANDSF is the acronym for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. Some Republicans are criticising Biden for the pullout, although Trump had also sought to end American involvement in the war.
Biden met Afghan leaders on June 25 and said US support for Afghanistan would be sustained despite the pullout. “Afghans are going to have to decide their future, what they want,” Biden said at the time.
The United States plans to leave 650 troops in Afghanistan to provide security for the US Embassy.
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