Biden confirms US military has withdrawn, ending 20 years in Afghanistan

Marking the end of America’s 20-year military presence in Afghanistan, US President Joe Biden said the last flight left Kabul in the early hours of Tuesday morning “with no further loss of American lives”.

He said US troops had over the past 17 days executed “the largest airlift in US history, evacuating over 120,000 US citizens, citizens of our allies, and Afghan allies of the United States.”

“Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended,” he said.

He also said that on Tuesday afternoon he will address the American people on his decision not to extend the US’s presence in Afghanistan beyond August 31.

“For now, I will report that it was the unanimous recommendation of the Joint Chiefs and of all of our commanders on the ground to end our airlift mission as planned.

“Their view was that ending our military mission was the best way to protect the lives of our troops, and secure the prospects of civilian departures for those who want to leave Afghanistan in the weeks and months ahead,” he said.

“The Taliban has made commitments on safe passage and the world will hold them to their commitments. It will include ongoing diplomacy in Afghanistan and coordination with partners in the region to reopen the airport allowing for continued departure for those who want to leave and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan,” Biden said.