WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden broke his quiet on the tumultuous American withdrawal from Afghanistan on Monday, reiterating his decision while slamming the country’s past Western-backed government for failing to oppose the Taliban.
“I am a firm believer in my decision. After 20 years, I’ve learned the hard way that withdrawing US soldiers is never a smart idea “In a televised speech from the White House, he added.
“The responsibility stops with me,” Biden declared as pictures of chaos and despair poured in from Kabul, where American forces were attempting to evacuate the airport and Taliban militants swarmed the city.
He dismissed accusations that the evacuation was a disaster, saying the aim is to end a conflict that has grown well beyond its initial modest goals of punishing the Taliban for their connections to Al-Qaeda following 9/11.
“Our job in Afghanistan was never meant to be nation-building,” he said, adding that anti-terrorism operations would continue even if US forces left.
In the next days, “thousands” of US citizens and Afghans who collaborated with American soldiers would be evacuated, according to Biden. If the Taliban attacks in the meanwhile, Obama has promised a “devastating” military reaction.
Biden departed the White House shortly after the address to head to his weekend getaway at Camp David, underscoring his confidence. He had travelled into Washington just hours before to deliver the speech after being pressured to do so.