Austin contradicts Biden, says Americans have been ‘beaten’ by the Taliban
International | August 20, 2021
The President said Friday that the U.S. was not aware of Americans having trouble getting to the airport in Kabul.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told lawmakers Friday that Americans trying to leave Afghanistan have been beaten by Taliban fighters, according to several people who participated in a briefing call with Austin and other top officials.
Austin’s remarks to House members appeared to directly contradict President Joe Biden’s assessment from minutes earlier, in which Biden said the U.S. was not aware of Americans having trouble getting through Taliban checkpoints and to the airport in Kabul — the only evacuation point in the country for Americans and Afghan allies. During the briefing call, Austin called the reports of Taliban beatings “unacceptable,” but did not elaborate on efforts to ensure Americans’ safe passage to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan’s capital city.
“We’re also aware that some people, including Americans, have been harassed and even beaten by the Taliban,” Austin said on the call, according to multiple sources. “This is unacceptable and [we] made it clear to the designated Taliban leader.”Austin added that “with the exception of those cases, we continue to see Americans and appropriately credentialed Afghans continue to move through.”
When asked about Austin’s remarks, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby reiterated that the U.S. has told the Taliban that it wants “free passage through these checkpoints for documented Americans,” adding: “By and large, that’s happening.”.. (Excerpts from Politico)