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Pentagon press secretary John Kirby on Friday described the “worrying” advance of the Taliban in Afghanistan as the US military withdraws its troops from the country after 20 years.
Government officials on Friday rejected the Taliban’s claim that they had taken control of 85 percent of Afghan territory, saying it was part of a propaganda campaign, according to Reuters.
“What we have seen is a deterioration of the security situation on the ground – there is no doubt – as the Taliban continue to take over the district centers,” Kirby said in an interview Friday morning with CNN. . “We see them continuing to make progress in district centers across the country, and that is concerning.”
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) estimates it has completed more than 90 percent of the withdrawal process, the command said in a July 6 update.
Members of the Afghan Taliban movement political delegation Suhil Shaheen, left, Mawlawi Shahabuddin Dilawar, center, and Dr Mohammad Naim, arrive to attend a press conference in Moscow, Russia, Friday July 9, 2021 ( AP Photo / Alexander Zemlianichenko)
The Long War Journal of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD) described the security situation in Afghanistan as deteriorating “rapidly”, noting that during the six days ending July 5, the Taliban had taken control. control of almost 10% of the whole country. .
In total, the Taliban are controlling 195 of Afghanistan’s 407 districts and challenging 129 more as of July 5, compared to just 73 and 210 on May 1, according to real-time assessments by the FDD.
BIDEN DEFENDS DECISION TO WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN
Kirby was unable to “validate” the Taliban’s claims about the amount of territory they took over in his interview, but noted that “claiming territory or claiming land does not mean you can maintain or claim it. keep over time “.
The Pentagon told Fox News it had nothing more to add and highlighted Kirby’s comments during a press briefing Thursday.
“We are aware of the security situation, we are aware of the advances of the Taliban, and that is why it is so important to continue to push for a negotiated political settlement of this war,” he said at the briefing. , later adding that the future of Afghanistan should be determined by the Afghans.
Kirby echoed this sentiment in his television interview, saying the Afghan forces must “show the capability and the capability that we know they have.”
“They are brave. They are fighters. They have taken a lot of lives over the last year. And we know they are ready to defend their country. And we are going to help them do that. But really, c ‘it’s their job to do it now,’ he said.
BIDEN SAYS AFGHANISTAN INTERPRETERS WELCOME TO UNITED STATES
President Biden on Thursday pledged to repatriate US troops by Aug. 31 and defended his bipartisan decision to do so despite some critics who say the move could “create problems.”
Lawmakers and veterans have been put pressure on Biden to give more details on how he intends to help the thousands of Afghans who have helped the US military as translators, drivers and in other jobs now fearful of being targeted by the Taliban after the departure of American troops.
Earlier this week, Iowan and Afghanistan interpreter Zalmay Niazy, who faces deportation due to an interaction he had with the Taliban as a child, said Tuesday. that being forced to leave the United States would be a “death sentence. ”
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The White House said the administration has identified facilities outside of the continental United States, as well as third countries, where evacuated Afghans could potentially stay while their visa applications are processed. Biden said 2,500 Afghans have obtained special immigrant visas since taking office in January.
“Our message to these women and men is clear,” Biden said. “There is a home for you in the United States if you wish. We will be by your side, just as you stood with us.”
Bradford Betz of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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