The Pentagon has been reducing the presence of its troops in Afghanistan for years, and the Biden administration announced that the last remaining troops would be withdrawn from the country by September 11th at the latest. As the exit process began, it became clear that they would be leaving much sooner than expected.
On Friday, when President Joe Biden was asked about the Afghan government; A government where the official withdrawal of foreign forces led by the United States is almost complete and even a major US airbase has been officially handed over [to the Afghan army] despite warnings from American generals, his irritation is evident.
"I want to talk about some positive things," Biden said as a reporter asked his third question about America's longest war.
After detailing his plans, his hopes for a military government embroiled in the war in Afghanistan and his views on U.S. air support, Biden said, "I'm not going to answer any more questions about Afghanistan."
"Look, the Fourth of July is almost here," Biden said with an angry gesture. My concern is that you guys are asking me something that you should be asking next week. We're on the weekend, I'm going to celebrate [the occasion]. "Big things are happening."
On Thursday, CNN reported, according to a US defense official, that American forces left Bagram Air Base, marking the end of the American presence in the sprawling compound that had become the center of military power in Afghanistan. Ruhollah Ahmadzai, a spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Defense, told CNN that Bagram was officially handed over to the Afghan army on Friday. The complete withdrawal of American forces from the country has not yet been completed; But it is expected to end very soon.
The Pentagon has been reducing the presence of its troops in Afghanistan for years, and the Biden administration announced that the last remaining troops would be withdrawn from the country by September 11th at the latest. As the exit process began, it became clear that they would be leaving much sooner than expected. Over the past few days, as American troops have been withdrawing, crews have been transferring shipping crates onto cargo planes and getting the last items of value out of the country. On Tuesday, US Central Command, which oversees Afghanistan, said the equivalent of 900 C-17s had left Afghanistan and destroyed nearly 16,000 pieces of equipment.
Still, concerns about deteriorating security in Afghanistan, the timing of withdrawal, and other unanswered questions about America's long-term strategy are growing; But on Friday, Biden was reluctant to talk about any of those concerns and balked when asked questions by reporters. He cited the growing economy, progress against Covid-19 and the fact that American troops are returning home after 20 years of war as reasons to celebrate; Even if the future of Afghanistan is unclear.
He said: "We are bringing our troops home. People all over America will be playing ball and doing good things." Biden said: "I will answer your negative questions later; "Negative questions, not legitimate." Biden said the withdrawal was not going any faster than he had planned. "We're exactly where we're supposed to be," he said. He added that he wanted "maneuver rooms" to be built to ensure that a number of troops remain to protect diplomatic facilities. "This is a logical step back with our allies," he said. "There is nothing unusual."
When Biden was asked about the government's ability to deal with the Taliban, he said: "We were in that war for 20 years. "I think they have the capacity to keep the government." He added that the talks with the Taliban, which have now stopped, should probably be resumed.
"I'm concerned that they're going to need to build the support they need to solve the domestic issues they're facing," Biden said.
When Biden was asked about US air support, he said that he tried to increase the capacity to the "shores"; But "Afghans have to move forward with the air forces they have, which we will help them maintain."
Hasibullah Yousufi
