How many Americans have been rescued from Afghanistan? The Biden administration has been dodging the big question this week and now we know why. Alex Ward, a national security reporter for Politico, Tweeted what he says is a leaked cable with evacuation numbers, which include Americans. Ward claims that as of August 23 at 1500 EST, the total amount of Americans evacuated is only 4,407. Widespread reporting places the numbers of stranded Americans in Afghanistan between 10,000 and 15,000 people.
NEW: Leaked State cable with evacuation numbers (as of Aug 23 at 1500 ET):
Total manifested since midnight Kabul AUG 23: 483 AMCITS, 6,425 Afghans natls, 8 3rd country/unknown. Total = 6,916
Total manifested since op began: 4,407 AMCITS, 21,533 Afghans, 642 TCNs. Total = 26,582
— Alex Ward (@alexbward) August 24, 2021
This very low number of Americans rescued is probably the reason why none of the Biden administration will provide the data directly, and why they only have released the total number of people rescued. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby again refused to answer the question today.
On how many Americans have been rescued:
"Why Can't You Just Say The Number??"They refuse to say because it's not enough! pic.twitter.com/YTRUy1FTCm
— Red Voice Media (@RedVoiceMedias) August 24, 2021
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said during a press conference in Kabul: “August 31 is the time given and after that it’s something that is against the agreement. All people should be removed prior to that date. After that we do not allow them, it will not be allowed in our country, we will take a different stance.”
President Biden has decided not to extend an Aug. 31 deadline to remove all American troops from Afghanistan, a U.S. official told Fox News. With 6,000 U.S. troops on the ground at the Kabul airport and 5,000 – 10,000 Americans still stranded, time is running out.
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