News
Biden ignored recommendations to keep troops in Afghanistan
Two top US generals claim they recommended keeping a force of 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, ahead of the full US withdrawal in August
Testimony given by Gen Mark Milley and Gen Frank McKenzie to Congress seemed to contradict President Joe Biden, who said he did not recall any such advice.
The Taliban militant group overthrew Afghanistan and took power in August, after rapidly advancing through the country.
Gen Milley stated that the United States had been taken by “surprise” by the speed of the Afghan government’s collapse.
On Tuesday, the two American generals were questioned by the Senate armed services committee.
Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin was also questioned
The Senate hearing comes weeks after a chaotic withdrawal at Kabul airport.
As foreign powers sought to get their citizens home and thousands of desperate Afghans begged for rescue, leaving Afghanistan in chaos.
Amid the turmoil, a suicide attack killed 182 people during the withdrawal operation.
Thirteen US troops and at least 169 Afghans were killed by the airport gate on 26 August.