DOD: Current Afghan military mission focused on protecting, evacuating U.S. citizens from Kabul
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, right, speaks accompanied by U.S. Army Major Gen. William Taylor, Joint Staff Operations, during a media briefing at the Pentagon, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 8:27 AM PT – Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Officials gave an update on the military response to the current crisis in Afghanistan. During a briefing Monday, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby stressed the military mission is narrowly focused on protecting efforts to evacuate U.S. citizens at the airport in Kabul.
Officials said no strikes have been conducted against the Taliban in the last 24-hours, but stressed the commander on the ground does have the authority to conduct strikes if needed. They refused to say whether the Taliban takeover of Kabul was caused by a failure of U.S. Intelligence, but noted they are continuing to communicate with the terrorist group.
“The message was very clearly put to the Taliban that these operations and our people were not to be attacked or there would be a response,” Kirby stated. “And as you and I speak, there has been no attack on our operation or on our people at the airport.”
MG Taylor: Our Troops are trained professionals. They understand the complexity, urgency & the importance of their mission. They remain agile. Our mission was, and still is today to secure the airport so that we can evacuate US citizens, SIVs & Afghans at risk out of the country. pic.twitter.com/9fRnOhlKK1
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) August 16, 2021
The Pentagon spokesman stressed the U.S. military is also focused on helping to protect Afghan allies from the Taliban as evacuations continue.
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