KABUL (Pajhwok): The Pentagon has ordered long-range bombers and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier to help provide security for American forces pulling out of Afghanistan.
Two B-52 bombers have already arrived in the region and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has extended the mission of the Eisenhower, the Pentagon spokesman said.
UPI news agency quoted John Kirby as saying: “The secretary has been clear — we have to assume — that there could be resistance and opposition to the drawdown by the Taliban…”
Promising a safe, orderly, deliberate and responsible withdrawal, Kirby indicated the Pentagon could send additional ground forces into the country temporarily for force protection and logistics support.
Prior to setting the Sept. 11 withdrawal deadline, President Joe Biden said the May 1 date that was previously agreed with the Taliban would be “hard to meet” for tactical reasons.
PAN Monitor/mud
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