US deploys 3,000 troops to evacuate Afghan Embassy staff [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The Pentagon announced on Thursday that over 3,000 US troops will be deployed to Kabul in Afghanistan to facilitate the evacuation of remaining US personnel in its embassy.
• Other troops were also deployed in Kuwait and Qatar.
• Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said that all US forces are set to withdraw by August 31.

As the Taliban forces continue to advance towards Kabul in Afghanistan, the US will deploy 3,000 military troops at the Hamid Karzai International Airport to assist the ongoing drawdown of US personnel on its embassy in the Afghan capital.

Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said Thursday that the troops would arrive within 24 to 48 hours. The reinforcement consists of three infantry battalions from the Marines and Army.

“This is a very narrowly focused mission of safeguarding the orderly reduction of civilian personnel out of Afghanistan,” Kirby said, He also noted that the Pentagon will amplify its airlift proficiency in the Afghan territory.

A US infantry brigade will also be set out in Kuwait to secure the airport.

On the other hand, another joint unit from US Air Force and Army, which has 1,000 service members, will be placed in Qatar to help in facilitating the processing of special immigrant visas for Afghan nationals who helped US and NATO forces during the decades-long conflict.

Kirby noted that even with the massive deployment of US troops in Afghanistan, all of them are expected to be pulled back on August 31.

On Thursday, the US Embassy in Kabul urged remaining Americans in the region to depart immediately, asserting that its ability to accomodate people is “extremely limited” given the increasing dominion of the Taliban and decreased manpower.

“In light of the evolving security situation, we expect to draw down to a core diplomatic presence in Afghanistan,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said Thursday.

Price also revealed that Secretary of State Antony Bliken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had already spoken with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani alongside NATO allies regarding the recent deployment.

The Taliban had taken control over the city of Ghazni on Thursday as they drew closer to Kabul. The Pentagon previously noted that the militant’s continuous offense across the nation was against the deal they made last year after agreeing to resume peace talks with the Afghan government.

Kirby noted, however, that now is the time that the Afghan military should apply what it has learned from the two decades of training with the US and NATO forces.

“They have the advantage in numbers, in operational structure, in air forces and in modern weaponry and it’s really about having the will and the leadership to use those advantages to their own benefit,” Kirby said.

President Joe Biden told reporters at the White House on Tuesday that he did not have any regrets about withdrawing the troops from Afghanistan.

“Afghan leaders have to come together. They’ve got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation,” he said.

Source: CNBC.com