WASHINGTON (Reuters) — President Joe Biden has given the U.S. military until Sept. 11 to complete its withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying it is time to end America’s longest war..
In a televised address Thursday, Biden said he had been clear with the Taliban that any attacks on U.S. personnel or disruptions during the withdrawal would be met with “a swift and decisive response.”.
The president acknowledged that the Taliban had made commitments to the United States, including allowing safe passage for Americans, allies, and Afghan partners, and refraining from attacking coalition forces during the withdrawal..
Biden said he had ordered the U.S. military to develop contingency plans in the event that the Taliban breaks its commitments, but he stressed that the United States would not stay in Afghanistan “indefinitely.”.
“We went to Afghanistan because of a horrific attack that happened 20 years ago. That cannot explain why we should remain there in perpetuity,” Biden said..
The president said the United States had achieved its objectives in Afghanistan, including the killing of Osama bin Laden and the degradation of al Qaeda. He said it was time for Afghan leaders to take responsibility for their own country..
“It is time for the Afghan people to decide their own future and for us to end this war,” Biden said..
The president’s announcement comes after weeks of negotiations between the United States and the Taliban. The two sides reached an agreement in February 2020 that called for the United States to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees from the Taliban..
The withdrawal has been delayed several times, but Biden has said he is committed to completing it by Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks..
Some U.S. lawmakers have expressed concerns about the withdrawal, arguing that it could lead to the Taliban taking over Afghanistan and allowing al Qaeda to re-establish a presence in the country..
Biden acknowledged these concerns, but said he believes that the United States can achieve its goals in Afghanistan without keeping troops there indefinitely..
“We have a vital interest in preventing Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorism, and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure that doesn’t happen,” Biden said..
The president said he had consulted with allies and partners, including NATO, before making his decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. He said the United States would continue to provide diplomatic and financial support to Afghanistan, but that it was time for Afghan leaders to take responsibility for their own country..
“We have given the Afghan people the tools and the time they need to make their own future,” Biden said. “It is now up to them to decide their own fate.”.
