President Joe Biden on Monday stated he “stood squarely behind” his determination to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan and rejected broad criticism of the chaotic withdrawal that’s posing a disaster for him.
Biden blamed the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan on Afghan political leaders who fled the nation and the unwillingness of the Afghan military to combat the militant group. He has additionally blamed his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, for empowering the Taliban and leaving them “in the strongest position militarily since 2001.”
The determination to withdraw sparked criticism from allies and adversaries after the Afghan authorities collapsed inside days and the United States scrambled to evacuate American civilians and embassy workers from Kabul.
“I stand squarely behind my decision,” Biden stated in a speech on the White House. “After 20 years I’ve realized the onerous method that there was by no means an excellent time to withdraw US forces.
That’s why we’re nonetheless there.”
“The truth is: this did unfold more quickly than we anticipated. So what’s happened? Afghanistan political leaders gave up and fled the country. The Afghan military gave up, sometimes without trying to fight,” Biden stated.
The Democrat has confronted a barrage of criticism, from even his personal diplomats, over his dealing with of the US exit, pulling out troops after which sending again 1000’s to assist with the evacuation.
The political dangers dealing with Biden from this determination, nevertheless, stay to be seen. Many Americans have expressed help for Trump and Biden’s determination to depart Afghanistan, America’s longest conflict.
The United States and allies invaded following the Sept. 11, 2001, assaults on New York and Washington and toppled the Taliban who had hosted al Qaeda militants answerable for the assaults.
On Monday, 1000’s of civilians determined to flee Afghanistan thronged Kabul airport’s single runway after the Taliban seized the capital, prompting the United States to droop evacuations.
Five folks have been reported killed within the chaos. A US official instructed Reuters two gunmen had been killed by US forces there over the previous 24 hours.
Biden additionally stated his determination is a results of the dedication he made to American troops that he wasn’t going to ask them to proceed to danger their lives for a conflict that ought to have ended way back.
“Our leaders did that in Vietnam when I got here as (a) young man. I will not do it in Afghanistan,” he stated. “I know my decision will be criticized but I would rather take all that criticism than pass this decision on to another president.” Biden additionally coupled his protection with a warning to Taliban leaders: let the U.S. withdrawal proceed unimpeded or face devastating drive.
