WASHINGTON, Apr 30 (NNN-XINHUA) – The White House said yesterday that, the U.S. military will send additional forces to Afghanistan, to protect U.S. and coalition forces during the withdrawal.
White House Deputy Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, told reporters aboard Air Force One that, “a drawdown is underway,” saying that, the U.S. military would deploy additional military assets to Afghanistan and the region to cover the withdrawal.
“Elements of an Army Ranger Task Force will temporarily deploy to Afghanistan, to assist with the force protection of forces on the ground, as we initiate withdrawal operations,” she noted.
Jean-Pierre also said, Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, had directed that a carrier strike group would provide sustained additional force protection capabilities in the region throughout the withdrawal.
“While these actions will initially result in increased forces levels, we remain committed to having all U.S. military personnel out of Afghanistan by Sept 11, 2021,” she added.
The Pentagon last week said that B-52 bombers and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier will deploy to the region to protect U.S. and coalition forces as they withdraw from Afghanistan.
Citing defence officials, fewer than 100 troops and military equipment had been pulled out of the country, largely by aircraft, to implement the withdrawal order, announced by President Joe Biden earlier this month.
The U.S. State Department, on Tuesday, ordered non-essential staff to leave the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. U.S. Charge d’Affaires to Afghanistan, Ross Wilson, tweeted that the departure was approved “in light of increasing violence & threat reports in Kabul.”
Biden previously announced the withdrawal would begin on May 1, the deadline date for a full U.S. withdrawal under an agreement reached between the former Donald Trump administration and the Taliban.
The Taliban had warned of consequences, if the Biden administration fails to follow through that deadline.
There are roughly 3,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and about 7,000 NATO troops in the country rely on U.S. logistics and security support.– NNN-XINHUA
