U.S. Marines stand guard at an Evacuee Control Checkpoint at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, August 20. Sgt. Victor Mancilla/U.S. Marine Corps
CNN: First US troops have started leaving Afghanistan as Biden decides not to extend withdrawal deadline
(CNN)The first US troops have started leaving Afghanistan on the same day President Joe Biden decided not to extend the August 31 evacuation deadline, two defense officials told CNN.
"So far, the reduction does not affect the mission," one of the officials said, adding that the commander on the ground can decide what military personnel are in units that are no longer required.
That decision can be based on a few factors, including the number of gates open at the airport, the number of people coming through and more.
"If you can have a smaller mission set and still conduct the mission, then you can reduce your footprint and reduce your risk," the official said.
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WNU Editor: With an August 31 deadline now in place, I understand the military operational reasons why US soldiers are leaving right now. But the optics of US soldiers leaving while hundreds if not thousands of Americans are still behind Taliban lines are beyond terrible.
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