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August 20, 2021

Pentagon Boosts U.S. Troop Levels in Kabul as Chaotic Evacuations Follow Taliban Takeover
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In Afghanistan, chaotic scenes continue to play out at Kabul's airport
as Afghans desperately try to escape Taliban rule. Thousands of people
have lined the perimeter of the airport, with Taliban soldiers using
rifle butts, whips and sticks to beat back crowds. The White House says
about 9,000 people have been evacuated from the airport since Sunday,
when the Taliban swept through Kabul. U.S. Army Major General William
Taylor said the Pentagon was temporarily increasing its presence to
facilitate the evacuation.

Major General William Taylor: "The U.S. military footprint in Kabul is
now more than 5,200 total troops on the ground. Kabul airport remains
secure and open for flight operations. … F-18s from the Ronald Reagan
Carrier Strike Group flew armed overwatch flights over Kabul to ensure
enhanced security."

President Biden is delivering a national address on Afghanistan today at
1 p.m. Eastern Time.


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