US to leave 650 troops in Afghanistan to protect airport, embassy
Fox News
A contingent of roughly 650 U.S. troops will remain in Afghanistan to protect diplomats after the Pentagon completes its overall withdrawal of military forces from the country, a U.S. defense official confirmed to Fox News on Thursday.
A U.S. military presence at the airport was considered critical to protect remaining diplomatic staffers in Afghanistan. Some of the roughly 650 troops will defend the U.S. embassy. U.S. military officials had indicated that a certain number of troops would likely remain at the airport to provide security up to or beyond the Sept. 11 deadline, but the exact number was not previously known. Most U.S. forces, including top officials and troops, are expected to withdraw from Afghanistan within the next two weeks. In April, President Biden pledged to withdraw remaining U.S. military personnel from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, following 20 years of conflict in the country.More Related News