Biden Pentagon: Unknown How Many Americans Trapped in Afghanistan

Afghan people wait to board a U S military aircraft to leave Afghanistan, at the military
SHAKIB RAHMANI/AFP via Getty Images
Wendell Husebø

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Thursday that the number of American citizens trapped in Afghanistan remains unknown.

“I don’t know,” Kirby said in response to a reporter who asked how many “American citizens” are stranded in Afghanistan.

The War Room at the Republican National Committee captured the question:

The White House claimed Tuesday the “self-identified” number of Americans in the country is about 11,000.

Media reports Tuesday suggested 10,000 to 40,000 Americans remained in Afghanistan. On Thursday, the Associated Press reported 15,000 were stranded. About 2,900 have been evacuated since Sunday.

Afghan citizens pack inside a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, as they are transported from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. The Taliban on Sunday swept into Kabul, the Afghan capital, after capturing most of Afghanistan. (Capt. Chris Herbert/U.S. Air Force via AP)

Afghan citizens pack inside a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, as they are transported from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. The Taliban on Sunday swept into Kabul, the Afghan capital, after capturing most of Afghanistan. (Capt. Chris Herbert/U.S. Air Force via AP)

Taliban fighters patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. The Taliban celebrated Afghanistan's Independence Day on Thursday by declaring they beat the United States, but challenges to their rule ranging from running a country severely short on cash and bureaucrats to potentially facing an armed opposition began to emerge. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Taliban fighters patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. The Taliban celebrated Afghanistan’s Independence Day on Thursday by declaring they beat the United States, but challenges to their rule ranging from running a country severely short on cash and bureaucrats to potentially facing an armed opposition began to emerge. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden celebrated World Humanitarian Day on Thursday. The White House released a statement praising “humanitarian workers and everyone on the ground advocating for and delivering life-saving aid to the most vulnerable every day.”

“The United States stands with our partners around the world to condemn the killing, kidnapping, or any other attack against humanitarian aid workers and we honor the noble service of the many continuing to serve in the face of these threats,” it continued.

Breitbart News reported Wednesday the Taliban fired into a crowd protesting the removal of the Afghan flag. Another report revealed Taliban terrorists are murdering people for having copies of the Bible on their mobile phones.

Follow Wendell Husebø on Twitter @WendellHusebø 

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