Pentagon Announces End of the Afghanistan Evacuation, with Hundreds of Americans Left Behind

The Pentagon on Monday announced the completion of the evacuation mission in Afghanistan, the end of the U.S. military presence after nearly 20 years.

Central Command Commander Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie announced in a briefing on Monday that the last U.S. military aircraft has departed from the Hamid Karzai International Airport, where the evacuation was being staged.

“I’m here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the end of the military mission to evacuate American citizens, third-country nationals, and vulnerable Afghans,” he said.

“The last C-17 lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 30 this afternoon at 3:29 p.m. East Coast time and the last manned aircraft is now clearing the airspace above Afghanistan,” he added.

“Tonight’s withdrawal signifies both the end of the military component of the evacuation mission, but also the end of the 20 year mission that began in Afghanistan that began shortly after September 11, 2001,” he said. – READ MORE