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Unknown number of Afghan allies were left behind: Top US general

Tuesday, 31 August 2021 4:43 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 31 August 2021 6:35 PM ]

This video screen grab from the US Department of Defense shows General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander, speaking during a news briefing at the Pentagon on August 30, 2021. (Photo by AFP)

A top US commander an unknown number of Afghan allies and American civilians were left behind in Afghanistan.

The commander of US Central Command, General Kenneth McKenzie, said on Tuesday that the US' evacuation mission and military presence in Afghanistan had ended and that the US "did not get everyone out that we wanted."

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The US military leader added that approximately 1,000 to 1,500 Afghan allies had been flown out since the day before, and in total over the last weeks, 123,000 people had been evacuated.

McKenzie also added that it was unclear how many of the Afghan allies were left behind.

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He said the evacuation of the Afghans, who had served the foreign forces and included interpreters, drivers, guides and so on, in addition to their families, was conducted with a coalition of countries.

He noted that some Americans were left behind, as well.

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The number of US citizens left behind in Afghanistan was in the "very low hundreds," McKenzie said.

The US commander pointed out that the US military occupation had ended; however, America would continue meddling through its diplomatic channels and via its economic clout.

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"The military phase of this operation is ended," McKenzie said. "The diplomatic sequel to that will now begin."

SIGAR, The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, created by the US Congress to provide an independent assessment of US activities in Afghanistan, concluded that the US had failed to implement a coherent strategy in over 20 years of occupation. "We did not know what we were doing"

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