Biden: Evacuating Americans from Afghanistan Is a Top Priority
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US President Joe Biden announces that his country has evacuated 33,000 people from Afghanistan since July, and pledges to impose sanctions on the Taliban, depending on the recent developments in Afghanistan.
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Biden aims to get Americans out of Afghanistan as soon as possible.
On Sunday, Joe Biden claimed that his country continues to make progress in evacuations from Afghanistan, stressing that the priority is to evacuate Americans as quickly as possible.
In a speech delivered from the White House, Biden pointed out the deliberations taking place with the army regarding delaying the final withdrawal date, noting that the Taliban are cooperating in expanding the safe zone area around Kabul Airport.
Happening Now: President Biden provides an update on his Administration’s response to Tropical Storm Henri, as well as an update on the evacuation of American citizens, SIV applicants and their families, and other vulnerable Afghans. https://t.co/fSVv4E9ErB
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 22, 2021
During a press conference held on Sunday evening, Biden mentioned that the US is evacuating Americans along with NATO citizens and other partnering countries.
He also stated that as of August 14, 28,000 people have been evacuated on US and coalition aircraft, including chartered civilian flights, summing up the number of evacuees to 33,000 since July.
Update: From August 21 to August 22, there have been 23 US military flights evacuating approximately 3,900 personnel from Afghanistan, and 35 coalition aircraft (including partners, foreign military, and commercial airlines) evacuating approximately 3,900 personnel.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 22, 2021
Biden pointed out that the US continues to make progress in the evacuations from Afghanistan, noting that the priority is to get Americans out as soon as possible.
Biden stressed that the transit centers located outside Afghanistan provide safe locations for the US to complete security checks for the evacuees, expressing that the security situation in Afghanistan is rapidly changing and that he does not trust the Taliban.
He also pledged that he will impose sanctions on the Taliban, depending on how the situation develops in Afghanistan.
In the same context, Jake Sullivan, US National Security Adviser, said yesterday that ISIS's threat to Kabul airport is "risky and dangerous."
He added that information from sources on the ground makes the administration take ISIS' threat very seriously, explaining that communication with the Taliban is continuous, and that Washington has threatened the movement with a decisive response in case it targeted Americans.
