On August 19, President Biden vowed U.S. forces would stay in Afghanistan beyond his August 31 deadline to withdraw if any American citizens were still trapped in the country:
President Biden on August 19: “If there’s American citizens left [on August 31], we’re gonna stay to get them all out.” https://t.co/2RtPVuhuDI pic.twitter.com/aEYfoUSpUy
— John McCormack (@McCormackJohn) August 30, 2021
On August 30, the last U.S. troops were withdrawn from Afghanistan, but at least hundreds of U.S. citizens were left behind in the country:
Gen. McKenzie says the number of Americans remaining in Afghanistan who want to leave is “in the very low hundreds.” He predicts the U.S. will be able to get them out in what he calls the “diplomatic sequel” to the military-led evacuation mission.
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) August 30, 2021
McKenzie on Americans who might still try to leave.:”I think the terror threat is going to be very high and i don’t want to minimize that. he said they hope to work with the Taliban “to ensure that our citizens are protected and that they have the opportunity to leave.” (1/2)
— Vivian Salama (@vmsalama) August 30, 2021