AVA - Biden pledges ongoing support for Afghanistan despite US troops withdrawal

On the second anniversary of the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan, US President reassures continued support for the Afghan people.

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA)_Monitoring, In a statement released on the White House website, President Joe Biden highlighted that the US remains Afghanistan’s largest humanitarian assistance donor. He also paid tribute to the sacrifice of American service members, noting that 2,461 died and 20,744 were wounded throughout the two-decade war.

“These service members dared all, risked, and gave all to our nation. We owe them and their families a debt we can never fully repay,” Biden stated.

President Biden lauded the collaborative efforts of US military members, diplomats, intelligence professionals, and development specialists who played a crucial role in the two-decade Afghanistan mission and the subsequent military withdrawal.

“Together, they helped evacuate approximately 120,000 people in one of the largest airlifts in history.”

President Biden thanked US citizens and local governments for their support in welcoming over 117,000 Afghan refugees to the United States. He emphasized the contributions of Afghan allies and reaffirmed his commitment to stand by them, recognizing their vital role in Afghanistan and within the nation.

President Biden has called on the US Congress to approve the Afghan Adjustment Act, a measure designed to establish a route towards permanent legal status for Afghan refugees. This initiative aims to address their status and provide a more secure future for those who have sought refuge in the United States.

After the US withdrawal in August 2021, Afghanistan’s republic government collapsed, leading to the rapid resurgence of the Taliban. Amid the evacuation at Kabul International Airport, a suicide attack resulted in the deaths of 13 US service members and around 170 Afghan citizens.

Biden’s administration faced sharp criticism for the chaotic Afghan withdrawal, resulting in Taliban control. GOP’s Cory Mills moved to impeach Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin over the turmoil. House Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul termed the withdrawal a “massive error” and a “complete surrender” to the Taliban.