US Defense Secretary Visits Afghanistan Ahead of Withdrawal Deadline: "Here to Support Biden's Decision"

No Public Schedule in Afghanistan After Visiting India
"The Level of Violence Is Quite High"... Possibility of Extending Deployment Raised

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin made a surprise visit to Afghanistan, which was not on his public schedule, after visiting India, and held talks with senior Afghan officials. The unexpected visit has drawn global attention as the deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops, stipulated in the peace agreement signed with the Afghan armed group Taliban during the previous Donald Trump administration, is approaching. Secretary Austin refrained from making specific remarks, saying he came to assist President Joe Biden's decision regarding the U.S. troop withdrawal issue.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press, on the 21st (local time), Secretary Austin visited Afghanistan and met with Afghan government senior officials, including President Ashraf Ghani. The talks reportedly covered a wide range of issues including peace negotiations with the Taliban and the U.S. troop withdrawal. Secretary Austin, who had officially visited Japan, South Korea, and India from the 15th to the 18th, attracted attention by carrying out the Afghanistan visit, which was not disclosed in his public schedule that day.

After the meeting, Secretary Austin held a press conference with reporters accompanying him on the Afghanistan visit and was very reserved in answering questions about the U.S. troop withdrawal issue related to this visit. He drew a line by saying, "Nothing has been decided yet by the government regarding the withdrawal issue, and it is not determined what decision President Biden will make, but I came to listen and learn to assist his decision."

However, he also made remarks suggesting the possibility of extending the U.S. military presence. Secretary Austin emphasized that "It is clear that the level of violence in this country is quite high, and conditions for diplomatic work can be established only when the violence is resolved," and stated that the U.S. will make a responsible decision regarding the withdrawal issue. He added, "We will keep everything in mind and try to keep as many options open as possible."

Earlier, President Biden also mentioned in an interview with ABC News last week that "a complete withdrawal by May will be difficult," indicating that the decision-making process is underway, which has led to speculation that a small number of troops may remain in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the previous Donald Trump administration signed a peace agreement with the Afghan armed rebel group Taliban in February last year, promising to withdraw U.S. and international allied forces within 14 months on the condition of preventing extremist armed group activities and resuming dialogue among Afghan factions. The Taliban is demanding the withdrawal of all international allied forces by May 1 as promised, and the current U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan is known to be about 2,500.

However, peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban are currently stalled, and ongoing terrorist attacks by the Taliban have raised opposition to the withdrawal. There are concerns that if U.S. and international allied forces withdraw, the Taliban will overthrow the government and regain control of Afghanistan.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.