South Dakota legislators issue statements on Afghanistan crisis
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Biden with National Security
In this photo released by The White House, President Joe Biden meets virtually with his national security team and senior officials for a briefing on Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, at Camp David, Md. (The White House via AP)
In this photo released by The White House, President Joe Biden meets virtually with his national security team and senior officials for a briefing on Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, at Camp David, Md. (The White House via AP)
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Chaman Pakistan
Pakistan soldiers check documents of travelers crossing the border to Afghanistan through a crossing point in Chaman, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. A special flight of Pakistan’s national airline PIA has arrived in Islamabad carrying 329 passengers from Kabul, and another carrying 170 people will arrive later today. A spokesman for the airline said Saturday that the airline will operate three flights tomorrow to transport Pakistanis and other nationalities looking to leave Kabul. (AP Photo/Jafar Khan)
Pakistan soldiers check documents of travelers crossing the border to Afghanistan through a crossing point in Chaman, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. A special flight of Pakistan’s national airline PIA has arrived in Islamabad carrying 329 passengers from Kabul, and another carrying 170 people will arrive later today. A spokesman for the airline said Saturday that the airline will operate three flights tomorrow to transport Pakistanis and other nationalities looking to leave Kabul. (AP Photo/Jafar Khan)
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Taliban Afghan Presidential Palace
Taliban fighters take control of Afghan presidential palace after the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Zabi Karimi)
Taliban fighters take control of Afghan presidential palace after the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Zabi Karimi)
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Taliban Fighters Ghazni Province
Taliban fighters pray while raising their flag at the Ghazni provincial governor's house, in Ghazni, southeastern, Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Gulabuddin Amiri)
Taliban fighters pray while raising their flag at the Ghazni provincial governor's house, in Ghazni, southeastern, Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Gulabuddin Amiri)
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Taliban Kandahar
Taliban fighters patrol inside the city of Kandahar, southwest Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Sidiqullah Khan)
Taliban fighters patrol inside the city of Kandahar, southwest Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Sidiqullah Khan)
WASHINGTON — At least seven are dead following chaos at Kabul’s airport, after Taliban forces pushed into Afghanistan’s capital following the announcement that the U.S. military will withdraw after two decades.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled Sunday as Taliban fighters entered Kabul.
U.S. and other military allies, like Germany, are still on the ground at Hamed Karzai International Airport, where evacuations are underway. An additional 1,000 troops were sent as reinforcements. U.S. Central Command head General Frank McKenzie met with Taliban officials in Qatar to urge non-interference with the evacuation.
Afghan civilians run alongside USAF plane at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport (photo credit: PSFAERO / Twitter)
South Dakota Senator John Thune issued a statement on social media, thanking the troops that fought in Afghanistan and lamenting President Biden’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops by August 31.
Senator Thune’s post reads:
“What’s happening in Afghanistan is a catastrophic failure by President Biden and a direct result of decisions based on artificial timelines instead of security conditions on the ground. We shouldn’t have abruptly abandoned the Afghan people, leaving them in the hands of the Taliban. Thank you to the men and women who served tirelessly to bring bin Laden to justice and prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorism against the U.S. You answered your country’s call. You made a difference. The sacrifice of so many is not defined by what we’re seeing today.”
Representative Dusty Johnson wrote in a statement Monday:
“Over the last six months, I’ve received briefings from the administration indicating they were planning for every possible contingency. It’s clear that wasn’t the case. The administration’s lack of preparation is endangering the lives of Americans in uniform and our partners in the region. This is a tragedy that should have been avoided.”
NewsCenter1 has reached out to Sen. Rounds’ office for comment and has not heard back as of writing.
