Pentagon Boss, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Under Pressure to Resign Over Afghan 'Debacle'
11:28 GMT 31.08.2021 (Updated: 13:23 GMT 06.08.2022)
© REUTERS / JONATHAN ERNST
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Later on Tuesday, President Joe Biden is due to address the nation about the completion of the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, earlier confirmed by the Pentagon.
Ninety retired American generals and admirals have urged Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley to step down over "the disastrous" US troop exit from Afghanistan.
In an open letter released on Monday, the signatories stressed that their call for the resignation and retirement of the secretary of defence (SECDEF) and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) is based "on negligence in performing their duties primarily involving events surrounding" the troop withdrawal.
90 retired U.S. generals and admirals penned an open letter asking Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley to resign. https://t.co/MmuuifRPaP pic.twitter.com/QTc0S3hcx5
— Thomas Kellogg (@oldnickels) August 30, 2021
Referring to the implications of "the hasty retreat", the signatories underlined that it "has left initial estimates at ~15,000 Americans stranded in dangerous areas controlled by a brutal enemy along with ~25,000 Afghan citizens who supported American forces".
U.S. President Donald Trump and Gen. Mark Milley, Chief of Staff of the United States Army, speak at the 119th Army-Navy football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 8, 2018
© REUTERS / JIM YOUNG
"The consequences of this disaster are enormous and will reverberate for decades beginning with the safety of Americans and Afghans who are unable to move safely to evacuation points. […]The loss of billions of dollars in advanced military equipment and supplies falling into the hands of our enemies is catastrophic", the document stressed.
The signatories also argued that damage to the reputation of the United States as a result of the troop withdrawal is "indescribable".
"We are now seen, and will be seen for many years, as an unreliable partner in any multinational agreement or operation. Trust in the United States is irreparably damaged", the letter pointed out.
In conclusion, the document recalled "a fundamental principle in the military" which stipulates "holding those in charge responsible and accountable for their actions or inactions".
In this Aug. 18, 2021, photo, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pauses while speaking during a media briefing at the Pentagon in Washington.
© AP Photo / Alex Brandon
"There must be accountability at all levels for this tragic and avoidable debacle", the signatories underscored, referring to the troop exit.
The letter comes as the US Department of Defence announced on Monday that all American troops had left Afghanistan, a day before the 31 August deadline earlier set by Biden, who has been repeatedly criticised over his handling of the troop withdrawal.
Many Republicans have already called for POTUS to be impeached over the issue, while the 46th president made it clear earlier this month that his decision to comply with the 2020 US-Taliban* peace deal would not be stopped.
According to Biden, he had no intention of passing the war onto another US president or send American forces to fight the Taliban when even Afghan forces willingly let the militant group gain control of the nation.
On 15 August, the Taliban entered the capital Kabul and seized power in Afghanistan following a months-long offensive, which unfolded against the backdrop of US and NATO troops leaving the nation.
*The Taliban is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries.
