US President Joe Biden “stands squarely behind” the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan as the US military secures the Afghan capital’s airport in Kabul

US President Joe Biden spoke publicly about the situation just hours ago, for the first time since the Taliban took control of Kabul.

Biden says his country’s military presence will be swift and the response will be forceful if the Taliban attacks troops as evacuations continue.

This comes as the President admits that although the collapse of Afghanistan to the Taliban was quicker than anticipated and he stands by his decision and will not repeat mistakes of past leaders.

The US has spent trillions of dollars over twenty years in Afghanistan and lost more than 2,000 military personnel, making the decision to withdraw largely popular among citizens

However, there has been growing criticism on the decision to leave as swiftly as has occurred, with many saying it has undone years of work by American forces to bring the territory back under control. 

He says that not a single further American soldier should lose their life in this battle.

The President says his position has always been one of preventing terrorism and not enforcing a particular way of life on a nation, and that is why the decision to withdraw was made.

United States military has now secured the Afghan capital’s airport in Kabul

As Biden addressed the world, the U.S Military secured Kabul airport.

This means the US can now resume all air operations at Kabul airport.

This image shows armed guards standing at a fence line protecting Americans who are leaving Kabul.

The airfield at the Kabul airport reopened for flight operations and the first C-17 loaded with Marines landed soon afterwards, according to Pentagon officials.

We’ve seen chaotic scenes at the airport over the past 24 hours as people tired to flee the country by any means possible.

Currently, 2,500 military personnel are based at Kabul’s airport, with an additional 500 troops being deployed to assist.

This deployment follows an announcement by British authorities that the nation will soon have 900 military personnel on the ground to aid evacuations.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s major television station has continued to broadcast, but there have been noticeable differences.

Female staff are no longer presenting bulletins and the programming is becoming increasingly supportive of the Taliban regime.

This comes as the United Nations Secretary-General pleads with militants to respect and uphold humanitarian law.

On Monday, the UN Security Council called for the formation of a new government in Afghanistan and an end to the violence and chaos that is engulfing the country.

Biden’s comments come as European leaders also react to the unfolding situation

Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel has desribed the Taliban’s takeover as “bitter, dramatic and terrible”

Merkel is pushing for further international aid directed to Afghan citizens, so they can seek refuge in neighbouring countries instead of making their way to Europe.

The chancellor says “we should not repeat the mistakes of the past when we did not give enough funds to aid programs… and people left Jordan and Lebanon toward Europe”.

French President Emmanuel Macron has also made an address, saying Afghanistan must not become a “haven for terrorists again”.

Macron says: “it is a challenge for international stability and peace and we will do everything with Russia, the United States and Europe to cooperate efficiently as our interests are the same”.