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Officials said Friday that US troops had left the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, and rescued 169 Americans this week.
The surgery took place Wednesday or Thursday, President Joe Biden said answering questions at the White House.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told Pentagon reporters that the U.S. military had decided to look at and act on Americans outside of Kabul International Airport.
The group said, “Very close, very close to the airport, and in a short amount of time, in a short distance, some of our troops were able to get out there and bring them in,” he said. Told. ..
Kirby was asked for details and said he was unaware of tactical details such as whether the gun was pulled or similar operations.
This mission was important because it was the first time the U.S. military had left a U.S.-owned airport to rescue Americans, according to U.S. officials.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told reporters Wednesday that the US military “did not have the ability to go out and gather a large number of people.”
Kirby said the Pentagon flew more troops in Kabul and the airport was more secure. The features are currently there, but each proposed mission needs to be analyzed for potential risks and benefits.
Thousands of Americans remain in Afghanistan, which was hijacked by the Taliban this month. Citizens from other countries are also there. With the complete withdrawal of US troops scheduled a few weeks later, many are heading to the airport, along with the flow of Afghans fearing oppression.
Scattered reports claim that rescue missions were carried out by US, British, and French special forces.
For example, the U.S. military has undertaken what is known as a “promise-keeping operation” to assist the U.S. military for many years and rescue Afghan police officer Mohammad Khalid Waldak, who has been under threat from the Taliban. Has been done.
Wardak was rescued in the dark at night, Robert McCreeley, a former Parliamentary Chief of Staff and White House official under President George W. Bush, who has worked with special forces in Afghanistan, told The Associated Press. .. Wire Outlet released a photo of Wardak and his family after suspected rescue.
A Pentagon spokesperson did not return a request for comment on the reported mission.
British and French media reported that similar operations were being carried out by national special forces. When the British Army was contacted by an Epoch Times reporter, they requested an email containing a question, but did not respond to the email.
US Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters in Washington this week that the US military has “various special operations forces” in Afghanistan.
He also said there were British special forces and other international special operations forces.
National Security Adviser Matthew Pottinger during the Trump administration said a British patrol hit Kabul during his appearance at Fox Business on Thursday, saying, “I encountered British citizens, Afghans, and in some cases Americans. I knew I would help. ” Take them safely. “
U.S. officials claim that even if the Taliban control the ground outside the facility, Americans can barely reach the airport, minimizing the need for rescue missions.
“We don’t think the need is that great,” Kirby said.
“There are sporadic reports that some Americans can’t pass checkpoints, but in general, what we’re seeing is that Americans were able to pass those checkpoints,” he said. I added.
Zachary Stieber covers US news, including politics and proceedings. He started in The Epoch Times as a metro reporter for New York City.
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