In the Pentagon briefing room, spokesman John Kirby was asked if the US could operate missions similar to British paratroopers to retrieve citizens from Kabul. Kirby replied that the Pentagon’s military mission continues to be to maintain control of the airport.
Kirby was later asked if the US mission – and the prospect of staying in Afghanistan beyond 31 August – requires Taliban “acquiescence”.
“It’s a fundamental fact of the reality of where we are that communications and a certain level of agreement with the Taliban on what we’re trying to accomplish has to continue to occur,” Kirby replies.
He emphasized that there have been “no hostile interactions” between the Taliban and US troops.
Taiwan National Day Celebration
