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Afghanistan: USA sends troops, Berlin reduces embassy staff

2021-08-13T18:24:17.425Z


The US sends soldiers to Afghanistan. They are supposed to secure the airport and the US embassy in Kabul. Washington and Berlin are reducing diplomatic staff. The overview in the video.


Read the video transcript here

In Afghanistan, the Taliban are taking province after province by storm.

Kandahar, the country's second largest city, fell on Thursday.

The Afghan army was also unable to defend Herat and the strategically important Ghazni.

The Taliban now control more than a third of the country - and are advancing further and further towards the capital, Kabul.

The US has asked all American civilians to leave the country.

John Kirby, Assistant Secretary of Defense:

"The President has ordered the reduction of civilian personnel in our embassy in Kabul."

The American government is speaking of a precautionary measure.

John Kirby, Assistant Secretary of Defense:

"Our commanders have the right to defend themselves and any attack on our armed forces will be responded to with a swift and appropriate response."

At the same time, the Pentagon announced that it would send 3,000 additional soldiers to Afghanistan within 24 to 48 hours.

They are supposed to secure the withdrawal of civilians from the embassy and the airport in Kabul - together with the 650 US soldiers still stationed in Kabul.

The US embassy remains open.

Ned Price, US State Department spokesman:

“It's not an evacuation, not a full retreat.

Rather, it is a reduction in our civilian footprint.

(…) I think all parties, the Afghan government, the Taliban and our international partners with whom we are in contact on this matter must understand that we want to continue our diplomatic presence on the ground.

Above all, we want to continue our long-term partnership with the Afghan people and the Afghan government. "

The US wants to have completely ended its military operation in Afghanistan by the end of August.

After that, US soldiers are only supposed to secure the embassy in Kabul.

Ned Price, US State Department spokesman:

“We repeat: there is no military solution in Afghanistan.

The only way to lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan is a political negotiation within the framework of a process led and responsible for the Afghans. "

A new Afghan government that has seized power by force will not be accepted by the international community, according to the Pentagon.

Nevertheless: the Taliban do not have to expect much resistance from the Afghan army - and not from the Allies either.

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2021-08-13

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