The US military operation in Afghanistan will finish on August 31, nearly 20 years after it began, according to US President Joe Biden.
In a speech, Biden stated that the US military has “achieved” its aims to weaken Al-Qaeda and prevent more attacks on the US.
“We are ending America’s longest war,” he added.
“The status quo is not an option,” he said of staying in the country.
“I will not send another generation of Americans to war in Afghanistan.”
He said the United States “did not go to Afghanistan to nation-build.”
“It is the right and the responsiblity of the Afghan people alone to decide their future.”
Biden promised that the US will continue to help the Afghan government and security forces and that hundreds of Afghan interpreters working for US soldiers would be allowed to seek asylum in the US if Taliban terrorists threatened them.
“If you want, there is a home for you in the United States,” he added. “Just as you stood with us, we shall stand with you.”
Biden expressed confidence in the Afghan military forces’ ability to combat the Taliban, who have made significant gains across the nation since the start of the year.
He also stated that a Taliban takeover of the government is not unavoidable.
“I trust the capacity of the Afghan military,” Biden said.
