China News Agency, Washington, July 23 (Reporter Chen Mengtong) US President Biden had a phone conversation with Afghan President Ghani on the 23rd to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and once again expressed support for the Afghan government.
The White House issued a statement that night that Biden and Ghani reiterated their commitment to building a lasting partnership between the two countries during the phone call.
Biden said that the US will continue to support the Afghan security forces and provide various types of support including development and humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.
Data map: US President Biden.
The two sides pointed out that the current offensive launched by the Taliban in Afghanistan is completely contrary to their claims that they support a negotiated settlement of the conflict.
Since the US announced the timetable for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, the fighting between the Taliban and the Afghan government has become increasingly fierce, and the security situation in Afghanistan has continued to deteriorate.
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mili said on the 21st that the Taliban currently controls about half of Afghanistan’s 419 regions and has not yet seized any provincial capitals. However, the Taliban is putting pressure on the periphery of 17 of these cities. “The strategic momentum seems to be On the Taliban’s side".
When asked about Afghanistan at a press conference on the 23rd, White House Press Secretary Psaki reiterated US support for Ghani and other Afghan government leaders.
She said that the United States also supports the ongoing political negotiations between the leaders and government members of Afghanistan and the Taliban.
"The US believes that a political settlement is the only way out for a lasting peace in Afghanistan."
The White House's statement on the same day also stated that the U.S. government requires Congress to provide $3.3 billion in financial support for the Afghan security forces in fiscal year 2022, with priority being used to ensure the combat capability of the Afghan Air Force and the fuel, ammunition supplies and salaries of the Afghan security forces.
Biden announced in early July that the US military mission in Afghanistan will end on August 31.
According to a report from the US Central Command on July 13, the withdrawal plan of the US troops in Afghanistan has been completed by more than 95%.
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