An Afghan National Army commando stands guard on top of a vehicle along the road in Enjil district of Herat province as skirmishes between Afghan National Army and Taliban continues. (Photo by HOSHANG HASHIMI/AFP via Getty Images)
The Biden administration defended the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan as the Taliban has accelerated its gains within the region. On Monday, Pentagon Spokesperson John Kirby acknowledged the terrorist organization captured six provincial capitals in just four days, but claimed it was not the United State’s responsibility to engage in further combat to protect the Afghan people.
“This is their country. These are their military forces. These are their provincial capitals, their people to defend,” he asserted. “It’s really going to come down to the leadership that they’re willing to exude here at this particular moment.”
Kirby noted the U.S. would occasionally assist Afghan forces by using air strikes where and when it was feasible. However, it has not been clear if the United States would continue with the strikes after Biden’s August 31 deadline to exit the country.
Taliban captures Farah city, the capital of Afghanistan's Farah province. In less than a week, the capitals of 7 provinces have fallen to the Taliban. Questions need to be raised over the billions of dollars spent on raising the Afghan National defense & Security Forces.
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) August 10, 2021
Kirby added the Biden administration wanted the Afghan people to use their own resources more effectively. He then listed out a set of advantages Afghan forces have over the terrorist organization.
“They have an air force. The Taliban doesn’t. They have modern weaponry and organizational skills. The Taliban doesn’t,” he stated. “They have superior numbers to the Taliban and so, again, they have the advantage, advantages. It’s really now their time to use those advantages.”
Even though Afghanistan may have advantages on paper, Afghan officials continue to criticize the Biden administration for pulling out U.S. forces too quickly. They argue the decision has caused the recent surge in violence throughout the country.
Source: One America News Network
