Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation

Austin Says US Considered Prolonged Civil War Scenario

  • By Al Mayadeen
  • Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen
  • 19 Aug 2021 08:47
2 Min Read

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin assures that the US mission is to “secure that airfield, defend that airfield, and evacuate all those who have been faithful to us”.

  • x
  • US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chief of Staff Mark Milley in Washington, August 18, 2021 (AFP).
    US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chief of Staff Mark Milley in Washington, August 18, 2021 (AFP).

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said "we have a moral obligation to help those that have helped us over the past 20 years of our presence and work in Afghanistan," adding that “our mission is to secure that airfield, defend that airfield, and evacuate all those who have been faithful to us”.

During a media briefing at the Pentagon, Austin told reporters that the number of US forces in Kabul is 4,500 and that the Taliban “are not interfering with our operations”.

Furthermore, US Defense Secretary vowed that the US is “going to evacuate everybody that we can physically and possibly evacuate and we’ll conduct this process for as long as we possibly can.” He added the US is coordinating with the Taliban to create passageways for people to get to the airfield.

Austin said the operations will increase as efforts to bring out US citizens and  Afghans continue, while at the same time the US will deconflict with the Taliban.

“It’s obvious, we’re not close to where we want to be in terms of getting the numbers through,” Austin said. 

Related News

US to withdraw from Syria bases, retain one in al-Hasakah

US withdraws 500 troops from Syria as Trump backs rebel recruitment

When asked about those who are unable to reach the gates of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul due to Taliban checkpoints, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, "I don't have the capability to go out and extend operations currently into Kabul."

The Defense secretary’s admission comes after the US Embassy in Kabul issued a dire warning to US citizens there stating that it “cannot ensure safe passage” to the airport.

On his account, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said intelligence showed “multiple scenarios” were possible, including an “outright Taliban takeover.” Others included a prolonged civil war. 

“Nothing that I, or anyone else, saw indicated a collapse of this army and government in 11 days,” Milley added.

Furthermore, a US State Department official was quoted by AFP stating the Taliban is reportedly blocking Afghans from reaching Kabul’s international airport to flee the country, breaking their commitments to the US.

The Taliban swept into Afghanistan’s capital Sunday after hasty US withdrawal, promising a peaceful transition.

  • US
  • Afghanistan
  • Kabul
  • Kabul Airport
  • US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
  • US occupation forces
  • Taliban

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS