US Senior Official: "No Change in US Troop Withdrawal Plan from Afghanistan"

▲U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan where the Cheolsu Operation has commenced [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] As the Islamic militant group Taliban has effectively taken control of Afghanistan, the United States has reaffirmed that there will be no changes to its plan to withdraw U.S. troops.

According to major foreign media on the 15th (local time), a senior U.S. government official said regarding the situation in Afghanistan, "There is no change in the U.S. military strategy as long as the Taliban does not affect the withdrawal of (Americans)."

This is interpreted to mean that the U.S. intends to complete the full withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan by the end of this month as scheduled, provided the Taliban does not threaten the safety of U.S. diplomats and citizens currently in Kabul and other locations.

Since May, as U.S. and allied forces began a phased withdrawal, the Taliban has intensified its offensive, capturing most major cities except the capital, Kabul.

The official also stated that there is currently no large-scale movement by the Taliban to enter Kabul.

He added that Ross Wilson, the acting U.S. ambassador to Kabul, is at Kabul airport.

Employees of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul began the full-scale withdrawal starting today.

In this regard, the U.S. government has decided to send 5,000 troops, including Marines, to support the evacuation operation of its citizens.