Biden Officially Declares End of 20-Year U.S. Military Presence in Afghanistan... Completion of Withdrawal Announced

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[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. President Joe Biden officially announced the end of the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, declaring the completion of the withdrawal operation and the conclusion of the Afghan War. Amid growing domestic and international criticism over the disappointing results of the withdrawal operation and the 20-year war, President Biden expressed his intention to confront the Afghan situation head-on through a national address.

On the 30th (local time), President Biden issued a statement at the White House regarding the completion of the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, declaring, "Our military presence in Afghanistan for 20 years has ended." President Biden emphasized, "Over the past 17 days, the U.S. military conducted the largest airlift operation in American history, evacuating more than 120,000 American and allied civilians. They accomplished this with courage, professionalism, and determination."

Immediately after the U.S. Department of Defense announced the end of the withdrawal operation a day ahead of the scheduled deadline of the 31st, Commander-in-Chief Biden confirmed this, marking the complete conclusion of the U.S. withdrawal operation from Afghanistan. The Afghan War, the longest U.S. war since the September 11, 2001 attacks, was officially declared over.

In response to domestic and international criticism, President Biden announced that he plans to deliver a national address on the afternoon of the 31st. He stated, "I will give a national address regarding my decision not to extend the U.S. presence in Afghanistan beyond August 31." He emphasized, "We have promised safe passage to those who wish to leave Afghanistan under the Taliban. The entire world will ensure that the Taliban keeps this promise."

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