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Joe Biden Says He Will Take Some Responsibility For What's Happened In Afghanistan

Joe Biden Says He Will Take Some Responsibility For What's Happened In Afghanistan

But he added that it was Donald Trump that struck a deal with the Taliban.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Joe Biden has addressed the American people after twin suicide bombing attacks in Afghanistan killed 12 US troops and at least 60 Afghanis.

ISIS-K has claimed responsibility for the explosions that were detonated near where thousands of people had gathered at Kabul's international airport to escape the Taliban.

The US President has been criticised by commentators around the world for making the decision to pull out of the country by September, after 20 long years.

Many believe he ended the campaign too early, however he hit back and said it wouldn't have mattered if they stayed for another two decades. Biden said it was ultimately up to local forces to fight the Taliban if they launched a comeback.

PA

However, the President has admitted in his national address tonight (August 26) that he will shoulder some of the blame of what's happened this month.

"I bear responsibility for fundamentally all that's happened of late. But here's the deal... you know as well as I do that the former president made a deal with the Taliban," he said.

"I know of no conflict, as a student of history, no conflict where, when a war is ended, one side was able to guarantee that everyone they wanted to be extracted in that country would get out."

He's called the loss of American lives a tragedy and has instructed US forces to strike back against the Islamic State.

"We will not forgive, we will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay," he warned.

"I've also ordered my commanders to develop operational plans to strike Isis key assets, leadership, and facilities. We will respond with force and precision at our time at a place we choose in a moment of our choosing.

PA

"I've instructed the military whatever they need - if they need additional force, I will grant it."

They will continue their mission to evacuate as many people as possible from the region, many of whom are escaping the terror of the Taliban.

Joe Biden said they will be depending on the militant group to reinforce security at the airport to prevent further attacks.

When asked whether he trusts the Taliban, he said: "It's not a matter of trust. It's a matter of mutual self-interest. We're just counting on their self-interest to continue to generate their activities.

"And it's in their self-interest that we leave when we said and that we get as many people out as we can. They're not good guys, the Taliban. I'm not suggesting that at all."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: joe biden