White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the Biden administration expects Special Immigrant Visa applicants and other Afghans seeking to evacuate the country to safely reach Kabul’s airport, despite the Taliban’s warning that it would no longer allow Afghans to leave.
In a news conference on Tuesday, Psaki said U.S. officials have been in"direct contact" with SIV applicants about how and when to reach Kabul’s airport. When asked if the Taliban’s declaration meant that the applicants attempting to flee were effectively cut off from evacuation efforts, Psaki told reporters that was"not how you should read it," adding the White House has"conveyed to the Taliban" that evacuees"should be able to get to the airport.
An administration official confirmed earlier Tuesday that President Biden had decided against extending evacuation operations and the planned U.S. troop withdrawal beyond his original Aug. 31 deadline. However, in a statement before her briefing, Psaki said Biden"asked the Pentagon and the State Department for contingency plans to adjust the timeline should that become necessary.
Biden’s initial decision not to extend the deadline prompted bipartisan criticism from lawmakers who expressed concern that American citizens and at-risk Afghan allies could be left behind. Thousands of Afghans have sought Special Immigrant Visas amid fears the Taliban could seek retribution against those who aided U.S. forces over the last two decades.
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