'We believe there are still a small number of Americans, under 200 and likely closer to 100, who remain in Afghanistan and want to leave,' Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday.
said on Monday said that"under 200" Americans who remain in Afghanistan still want to leave the country.
Blinken promised that the State Department would continue its"relentless efforts" to help Americans and some others leave Afghanistan despite the end of the military mission. The secretary of state said that around 6,000 Americans had so far been"evacuated or otherwise departed" from Afghanistan amid the chaotic withdrawal, with only a small number still in the country. Blinken pointed out that some Americans may choose to remain.
"We believe there are still a small number of Americans, under 200 and likely closer to 100, who remain in Afghanistan and want to leave," Blinken said during a news conference."We're trying to determine exactly how many. We're going through manifests and calling and texting through our lists. And we'll have more details to share as soon as possible."
"There are long-time residents of Afghanistan who have Americans passports and are trying to determine whether or not they want to leave," he continued."For many, it's a painful choice ... 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.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that there were"under 200 and likely closer to 100" Americans who remain in Afghanistan and still want to leave as of Monday. Blinken is pictured during a press conference at the State Department in Washington, D.C. on August 25, 2021.