[Epoch Times, August 26, 2021](Epoch Times reporter Zhang Ting comprehensive report) US Secretary of State Blincoln said on Wednesday (August 25) that about 1,500 Americans are still in Afghanistan, waiting to be evacuated.
According to a CNN report, Blinken said that since August 14th, the United States has “evacuated at least 4,500 American citizens, and possibly more.” More than 500 people have been evacuated on the last day alone.
“In the past 24 hours, we have directly contacted about 500 Americans and provided specific instructions on how to reach the airport safely,” Brinken said.
“For the remaining 1,000 people, they may be Americans seeking to leave Afghanistan. We actively contact them every day through a variety of communication channels, phone calls, emails and text messages.” He added.
The goal of the Biden administration is to evacuate American citizens and Afghan allies by August 31.
Although the pace of U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan has accelerated in recent days, Biden administration officials have repeatedly expressed concerns about security around the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. A U.S. defense official told CNN that the U.S. believes that ISIS-K (a branch of Islamic State terrorists in Afghanistan) wants to cause chaos at the airport and has intelligence that it is capable and plans to execute multiple attacks.
Brinken emphasized on Wednesday that the control of the Taliban and the possibility of an ISIS-K attack have increased the complexity and danger of the evacuation mission.
“We are operating in a hostile environment in a city and country that is now controlled by the Taliban, plus ISIS-K attacks are very likely. We are taking all precautions, but the risk is very high. As the President said yesterday, We are expected to complete our task by August 31, provided that the Taliban continue to cooperate and this work is not interrupted.” Brinken said on Wednesday.
“There is no deadline for our work to help any stranded American citizens who decide to leave and the many Afghans who have supported us over the years and wanted to leave but failed to do so. This effort will take place every day after August 31. Go on.” Blinken said.
Editor in charge: Li Yuan #
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