Blinken pledges support to Americans left in Afghanistan after withdrawal: 'We will help them leave'

Secretary of State Tony Blinken pledged ongoing support to what he described as the “small number of Americans” still in Afghanistan after the last U.S. troops departed the country on Monday.

"Our commitment to them, and to all Americans in Afghanistan and everywhere in the world, continues. The protection and welfare of Americans abroad remains the State Department’s most vital and enduring mission," Blinken said. "If an American in Afghanistan tells us that they want to stay for now and then in a week or a month or a year they reach out and say, ‘I’ve changed my mind,’ we will help them leave." But despite the vow to help, the State Department will suspend its diplomatic presence in Kabul and relocate it to Qatar due to the "uncertain security environment and political situation in Afghanistan," said Blinken. He added that it was the "prudent step to take." Blinken spoke shortly after the Biden administration confirmed the troop departures following a frantic weeks-long effort to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies from the country. The permanent withdrawal effectively concluded America’s longest-ever military conflict.