Friday, 15 Nov 2024

‘Leave no American behind!’ Biden heckled by furious public over Afghanistan pullout

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The US President was visiting a neighbourhood in Manville on Tuesday in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and chatting to police officers, when irate onlookers started to heckle him. In footage filmed by C-Span, a man can be heard asking: “My best friend died in 2011 in Afghanistan for what? For this guy to pull this s***? You leave them in ruins and leave Americans behind!”

Mr Biden stayed cool throughout and paid no attention to his detractors.

The US completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan last Monday, bringing an end to almost 20 years of military engagement in the country.

More than 123,000 people were evacuated from Kabul aboard the US-led airlift operation, which began just after the Taliban swept into the capital on August 14.

However, not all Americans were able to leave the country by the evacuation deadline.

In a briefing for reporters on Thursday last week, press secretary Jen Psaki said the number of US citizens still in Afghanistan was “closer to 100”.

She insisted the Biden administration was doing all it could to help those left behind leave the country.

The 78-year-old President has faced fierce criticism from some politicians for failing to ensure all Americans were able to leave before the deadline.

Republican representative Mike Gallagher told Politico: “Hundreds of Americans and thousands of our Afghan allies have been left behind enemy lines.

“This is not a mission accomplished, this is a complete disgrace.”

Republican Senator Steve Daines added: “America’s last flight left Afghanistan, even though we still don’t know the total number of Americans trapped behind enemy lines — it’s unforgivable.”

The US President insisted that those remaining chose to do so of their own free will.

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He told reporters last week: “Most of those who remain are dual citizens, long-time residents, but earlier decided to stay because of their family roots in Afghanistan.

“The bottom line, 90% of Americans in Afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave, and for those remaining Americans, there is no deadline.

“We remain committed to get them out if they want to come out.”

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