US exit from Afghanistan won’t be finished in next few days, says Biden

TIL Desk/World/Washington/ US President Joe Biden said on Friday that the drawdown in Afghanistan is “on track”, but troops will not leave the country in the next few days. When asked by reporters at the White House whether the US will complete withdrawal in the next few days, Biden replied, “No, we’re on track exactly as to where we expect it to be.”

“I wanted to make sure there was enough running room that we…wouldn’t be able to do it all till September,” he added. “There’ll still be some forces left, but it’s a rational drawdown with our allies… there is nothing unusual about it.” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki later told reporters during a daily briefing that the withdrawal is expected to be completed by the end of August.

Biden in April ordered all US troops to leave Afghanistan before September 11, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that drew the US into its longest war. Security situation in the war-torn country has deteriorated as Taliban militants continue heavy fighting against government forces and gain ground since the drawdown of US troops on May 1.