Biden Says Troops May Stay in Kabul Longer to Assist Evacuations

Tens of thousands of people trying to flee remain in the country, unable to leave.

WASHINGTON — President Biden said on Wednesday that the United States was committed to evacuating every American out of Afghanistan, even if that might mean extending the military mission beyond his Aug. 31 deadline for a total withdrawal. “If there’s American citizens left, we’re going to stay to get them all out,” Mr. Biden said during an interview on ABC News. When asked whether Americans should understand that to mean that the troops might stay beyond the end of the month, Mr. Biden replied: “No. Americans should understand that we’re going to try to get it done before Aug. 31.”