Austin Says US Considered Prolonged Civil War Scenario
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”.
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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.
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.
