US Secretary of State Blinken Admits Up To 200 Americans Are Still Stranded In Afghanistan After Last US Flights Left
* Blinken said the US would hold the Taliban to commitments to allow free movement
* 'We believe there are still a small number of Americans, under 200 and likely closer to 100, who remain in Afghanistan and want to leave,' he said
* Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie said the last flight left Kabul shortly after midnight on Tuesday morning local time
* 'There's a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure,' he said by videolink at a Pentagon briefing
* It brings an end to America's war in Afghanistan after 20 years and the deaths of almost 2500 U.S. troops
* It means President Biden met his August 31 deadline and that U.S. service members are out of harm's way
* He said the world would hold the Taliban to their promise to allow free passage for those wanting to leave * Republicans condemned a hurried departure that left Americans stranded in an enemy land
* A former CIA paramilitary officer said: 'Nothing feels good or right about this ignominious retreat'
* Secretary of State Antony Blinken said work continued to help 100-200 Americans who remain
* Witnesses said Taliban fighters fired celebratory shots into the air as word spread that the last flight had left
* A Taliban spokesman declared victory and said the country 'gained complete independence'
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a new era of 'diplomacy' in Afghanistan after the pullout of the last U.S. troops Monday – but said a 'small number' of Americans remain who want to leave the war-torn country.
'We believe there are still a small number of Americans, under 200 and likely closer to 100, who remain in Afghanistan and want to leave,' he said in a speech at the State Department Monday night – with remarks delayed for more than two hours.
The number was somewhat lower than estimates in the final hours as the Biden administration's troop withdrawal deadline approached.
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Update #1: Blinken: Taliban must earn 'international legitimacy and support' -- The Hill
Update #2: Blinken pledges support to Americans left in Afghanistan after withdrawal: 'We will help them leave' -- FOX News
WNU Editor: No accountability from the US Secretary of State on the disaster that has just occurred in Afghanistan. None. Zero. Nada.
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