President Joe Biden announced earlier this month that he would withdraw all U.S. troops in Afghanistan before the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, ending the longest war in U.S. history, and the U.S. today ordered non-essential personnel to leave the embassy in Kabul on the grounds of the growing threat.
Currently there are about 2,500 U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan, Biden two weeks ago to shoot the board, to be in September this year before the withdrawal of all U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special envoy for Afghan peace talks, warned at a federal Senate hearing that the U.S. would cut aid to Afghanistan if the Taliban-dominated government did not respect human rights.
In its travel advisory, the State Department said it has “ordered U.S. government employees to leave the U.S. Embassy in Kabul and relocate their operations elsewhere.
Ross Wilson, acting U.S. ambassador to Kabul, said the State Department made the decision “in light of the increased violence and threats in Kabul.
He said the order will affect only a “relatively small number” of employees and that the embassy will continue to operate.
Wilson tweeted that personnel responsible for the important work of handling matters related to the U.S. withdrawal and supporting the Afghan people will remain.
The State Department also updated its travel advisory, warning Americans not to visit Afghanistan, saying “terrorist and insurgent groups continue to plan and execute attacks on Afghanistan.
The Biden administration will maintain a limited troop presence in Kabul to guard the vast embassy area.
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