WASHINGTON: President Biden on Wednesday announced that the U.S. will withdraw all American forces from Afghanistan by Sept. 11 — pushing back a May deadline set by the Trump administration.
The U.S. intervened in the country following the 9/11 attacks in 2001. The new deadline would fall on the 20 year-mark of the attacks, which were carried out by Al Qaeda by crashing passenger-filled airplanes in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.
“I am now the fourth American president to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan. Two Republicans. Two Democrats,” Biden said. “I will not pass this responsibility to a fifth.”
He said he had consulted with experts, Congress and allies on the world stage about the decision.
“I’ve concluded it is time to end America’s longest war. It is time for American troops to come home,” he said.
He said it would be done “responsibly” and safely.” He also said he had informed President George W. Bush, whose administration launched the invasion in 2001, of his decision.
