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BREAKING
Local Syrian sources: The raids targeted the road between the village of Al-Mazra'a and the city of Sweida, where forces and factions affiliated with the Syrian Ministry of Defense are advancing.
Local Syrian sources: New raids carried out by Israeli warplanes targeted vehicles and gatherings of military factions affiliated with the new Syrian Ministry of Defense.
Local Syrian sources: Israeli raids target, for the third time, gatherings of Syrian Defense Forces military factions in the southern countryside of Sweida.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza Strip hospitals received 120 martyrs and 557 wounded in the past 24 hours.
The Israeli Walla! website: We are running out of stockpiles, our forces are exhausted, and the lives of the captives are in danger. It is time for a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Several wounded in an Israeli bombardment of a tent in al-Mawasi, south of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli media: Three wounded, three killed in an ongoing operation in the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli artillery shelling targets the outskirts of the town of Shebaa
Al-Qassam Brigades: The targeting took place at the intersection of 'Street 5' with the western line north of Khan Younis
Al-Qassam Brigades: A NIMR armored personnel carrier carrying an Israeli soldier was targeted with an Al-Yassin missile north of Khan Younis

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”.

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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 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

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