US Department of Defense: "Taliban airstrikes have no impact on Afghanistan withdrawal... just minor harassment"

7 Afghan Government Soldiers Killed in Taliban Attack
Hillary Warns "Afghan Withdrawal Will Have Tremendous Consequences"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The U.S. Department of Defense dismissed the Taliban's airstrikes, which began immediately after the start of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, as minor harassment that hardly affected the withdrawal. It reiterated that the Biden administration's goal is to hasten the completion of the withdrawal by September 11 of this year. On the ground in Afghanistan, fighting between the Taliban and Afghan government forces has intensified, resulting in at least seven deaths, raising warnings within the U.S. that a premature withdrawal decision could lead to a greater crisis.

On the 3rd (local time), John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, stated at a press briefing, "The recent Taliban attacks in Afghanistan are merely minor harassment that do not significantly impact the U.S. military withdrawal plan, and they have not affected our troops, contractors, or U.S. military bases," adding, "Nothing is currently affecting the mission at hand."

According to foreign media including the Associated Press (AP), a large-scale offensive by the armed Taliban began on the 1st, the day the U.S. military started its withdrawal from Afghanistan. As clashes continued between Afghan government forces and the Taliban that day, at least seven Afghan government soldiers were reported killed. Over the past week alone, approximately 100 Afghan government soldiers have died. AP reported that both sides are fiercely contesting military bases handed over by the U.S. to the Afghan government forces.

As the situation in Afghanistan deteriorates, criticism is emerging within the U.S. that a premature withdrawal decision could lead to greater regrets. On the same day, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned in an interview with CNN, "The Biden administration's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan could have enormous consequences," adding, "This could lead to unintended outcomes, especially the resurgence of extremist militant groups in the region and the resulting large-scale refugee crisis that the U.S. government must focus on."

According to CNN, the Taliban currently controls and exercises de facto authority over more than 60% of Afghan territory. Former Secretary Clinton expressed concern that "the potential collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban's return to power could lead to a new civil war."

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