U.S. forces can’t help Americans flee to Kabul airport, Pentagon

WASHINGTON – The Pentagon on Wednesday acknowledged that it does not currently have the capability to safely escort Americans in Kabul to the airport for evacuation as the Taliban consolidate control in Afghanistan’s capital.

“I don’t have the capability to go out and extend operations currently into Kabul,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said when asked about those who cannot reach the gates of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul because they are behind Taliban checkpoints.

“And where do you take that? How far can you extend into Kabul and how long does it take to flow those forces in to be able to do that,” Austin said.

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

The U.S. is relying on an agreement with the Taliban to guarantee the safe passage of Americans. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said earlier Wednesday that “it appears that the Taliban’s commitment for safe passage for Americans has been solid,” while noting she doesn’t know “every case.”

Austin vowed that the U.S. 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.” The Pentagon chief said the U.S. is coordinating with the Taliban to create passageways for people to get to the airfield.

U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters the airport is currently secure with nearly 5,000 U.S. troops on the ground and the Taliban “are not interfering with our operations.” However, the situation “is still volatile and can change quickly,” Milley said.

“There are threats we are closely monitoring and if at any moment we can identify a specific threat we will take immediate military action without any hesitation in accordance with our rules of engagement. The Taliban and every other organization in that country knows it,” the general said.

“We are the United States military, and we will successfully evacuate all American citizens who want to get out of Afghanistan. They are our priority No. 1,” Milley said alongside Austin.

The general, when asked about extracting people behind Taliban lines with troops, said the military has the “capability to do other things if necessary,” but said executing such an option is a “policy decision.”

“In addition, we intend to evacuate those who have been supporting us for years, and we are not going to leave them behind. And we will get as many out as possible,” Milley added.

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