Remarks on #Afghanistan from @PentagonPresSec's #DOD presser today in this THREAD. 1/n defense.gov/News/Transcrip…
QUESTION: On #Afghanistan, is there been a decision yet on providing financial compensation of families of those civilians killed in the August 29th strike?
MR. KIRBY: I don't have an update for you on that today. 2/n
MR. KIRBY: I don't have an update for you on that today. 2/n
Q: Does the secretary owe Congress an update on over the horizon planning for #Afghanistan?
MR. KIRBY: I think what the secretary made clear in his sessions a week or so ago was that we would certainly communicate with Congress to the degree that they need more information...3/n
MR. KIRBY: I think what the secretary made clear in his sessions a week or so ago was that we would certainly communicate with Congress to the degree that they need more information...3/n
...And I think as you heard them say in the open session that some of that would have to be done in closed sessions because of the classification.
But what he promised them is that, you know, keep them informed as they -- as they need more information. 4/n
But what he promised them is that, you know, keep them informed as they -- as they need more information. 4/n
Q: Is there a briefing this week or a hearing?
MR. KIRBY: I'm not aware of a specific briefing or hearing this week, no. 5/n
MR. KIRBY: I'm not aware of a specific briefing or hearing this week, no. 5/n
Q: I wanted to ask you about a report that direct relatives of US service members are still trying to escape #Afghanistan. Does the secretary have any thoughts about the situation? And I'm wondering if the Pentagon is doing anything to try to aid these relatives... 6/n
...And lastly, I was wondering if you could confirm at all the number who may still be stuck in #Afghanistan.
MR. KIRBY: I haven't seen those specific reports. I can assure you that the secretary, as you've heard him say himself, remains committed to making sure that... 7/n
MR. KIRBY: I haven't seen those specific reports. I can assure you that the secretary, as you've heard him say himself, remains committed to making sure that... 7/n
...we continue to do everything we can to get our Afghan allies who want to leave #Afghanistan to help get them out. There is, as we've said before, not a U.S. military component or element to that effort. This is an effort being led by the State Department... 8/n
...They're still working very hard. And of course, there is coordination between the interagency and some private groups that are also working to continue to get people out. That the military component of our presence in #Afghanistan, that's over, but the mission itself to... 9/n
...try to get people out is not over. And so the secretary is very much focused on -- on making sure that we continue to meet that obligation.
And I'm sorry, your second question was?
10/n
And I'm sorry, your second question was?
10/n
Q: I was just asking if you had an estimate on the number of those direct relatives who may still be stuck in Afghanistan.
MR. KIRBY: I don't. I'd -- I'd point you to the State Department for that. 11/n
MR. KIRBY: I don't. I'd -- I'd point you to the State Department for that. 11/n
Q: I want to follow up on the question about the Aug 29th strike in Kabul -- if the known stance is for helping families relocate outside of #Afghanistan, can you let us know if the US military or anyone in the department has made contact w/any of those 10 family members? 12/n
MR. KIRBY: Let me take the question. I don't have an answer for that. You're talking about the -- the family members that were the victim of the 29 August? Let me take the question. I just don't know the answer to that. 13/13
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