troops still remained on the ground, in harm’s way, with a looming deadline to withdraw them or go back to open combat. And yet, 10 years later, when I became President, a small number of U.S. That mission resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden over a decade ago and the degradation of al Qaeda. Now let me be clear about how we got here.Īmerica went to Afghanistan 20 years ago to defeat the forces that attacked this country on September 11th. We are working to evacuate thousands of those who helped our cause and their families. Our hearts go out to the brave Afghan men and women who are now at risk. military response.įifth, I have placed Ambassador Tracey Jacobson in charge of a whole-of-government effort to process, transport, and relocate Afghan Special Immigrant Visa applicants and other Afghan allies. personnel or our mission at risk there, will be met with a swift and strong U.S. Secretary Blinken will also engage with key regional stakeholders.įourth, we have conveyed to the Taliban representatives in Doha, via our Combatant Commander, that any action on their part on the ground in Afghanistan, that puts U.S.
Third, I have directed the Secretary of State to support President Ghani and other Afghan leaders as they seek to prevent further bloodshed and pursue a political settlement.
Second, I have ordered our Armed Forces and our Intelligence Community to ensure that we will maintain the capability and the vigilance to address future terrorist threats from Afghanistan. personnel and other allied personnel, and an orderly and safe evacuation of Afghans who helped our troops during our mission and those at special risk from the Taliban advance. troops to make sure we can have an orderly and safe drawdown of U.S.
VCD CUTTER 4.04 HOW TO
Over the past several days, I have been in close contact with my national security team to give them direction on how to protect our interests and values as we end our military mission in Afghanistan.įirst, based on the recommendations of our diplomatic, military, and intelligence teams, I have authorized the deployment of approximately 5,000 U.S.