They stated this under oath yesterday during an interrogation by a special investigative committee of the US Senate, US media report, including Politico.
The testimonies of Generals Frank McKenzie and Mark Milley contradict statements the president made in August in an interview with news channel ABC. In it, Biden said he could not recall receiving such advice at any point.
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Biden listened attentively
General McKenzie said he spoke directly with Biden about the advice to leave a few thousand soldiers on Afghan soil. “I was present when that discussion took place and I am confident that the President heard all the recommendations and listened very carefully to them.” General Milley said he agreed with that recommendation, but declined to confirm Biden made a “false statement.”
Thirteen American soldiers and at least 169 Afghans were killed during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. They fell victim to a suicide attack at the airport of the capital Kabul. The attack was later claimed by a local branch of the terrorist group IS.
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left behind
An estimated 100 to 200 American citizens could not be evacuated from Afghanistan in the rush. This also applied to many employees of other Western forces, including interpreters and their families.
Until September 14, the Netherlands managed to evacuate a total of 1,897 people from the country. According to the latest figures from the Dutch government, 459 Dutch citizens and people with a Dutch residence permit have stayed behind in Afghanistan, including ‘nuclear family members’.
The chaotic evacuation led to the resignation of outgoing ministers Kaag and Bijleveld, who received a motion of censure for their flawed actions.
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