Washington (AP) — Approximately 650 US troops are expected to remain in Afghanistan to provide security to diplomats after major US troops have completed their withdrawal.

In addition, hundreds of additional U.S. troops remained at Kabul Airport to help Turkish troops provide security as a temporary move before a more formal Turkish-led security operation took place. Officials said Thursday that it could potentially last until September. Overall, officials said the United States and its leadership, military command of the coalition with the United States, in time for the ambitious deadline developed by the commander a few months ago by or shortly after July 4th. , And said he was hoping to launch most troops.

Authorities were not allowed to discuss the details of the withdrawal and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

The withdrawal of most of the more than 4,000 troops in the country in recent months has taken place well before President Joe Biden’s September 11 withdrawal deadline. And that happens as the Taliban’s battlefield profits accelerate, fueling fears that the Afghan government and its troops may collapse in the coming months.

Officials have repeatedly emphasized that the security of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul is an important requirement for maintaining US diplomatic staff in Afghanistan. Still, the decision to keep additional troops there for a few more months complicates the Biden administration’s declaration of the true end of America’s longest war until later this fall. And even when the White House puts off the war 20 years ago and seeks to focus more on threats from China and Russia, it brings a perplexed country to the forefront of US national security challenges. ..

In a statement Thursday night, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the United States would complete its withdrawal by early September, as Biden ordered. “Nothing has changed about that goal,” Kirby said. “The situation is dynamic and we keep track of progress daily. Guessing from unnamed sources about potential changes to that timeline should not be interpreted as predictions.”

On Friday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the National Reconciliation High Council, are meeting with Biden at the White House. The two Afghan leaders will also meet with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and perhaps other administrative officials at the Pentagon, the Pentagon said.

By early July, most troops will be expelled due to the complexity of the COVID-19 outbreak at the U.S. Embassy and the expulsion of Afghan interpreters and others who helped deport the United States. That was suspicious. Officials said the US commander in Afghanistan and NATO’s allies were able to overcome logistical hurdles that could have prolonged the withdrawal process. However, they also warned that if the airport security agreement collapses or if there are other major unexpected developments, the plans being implemented in the final stages of the U.S. military withdrawal could change. ..

Last week there was a debate over the possibility of expanding U.S. military presence at Bagram Airfield in northern Kabul, but officials said U.S. military presence at the base was expected to end in the next few days. ..

Approximately 650 US troops, to become a more permanent force in Afghanistan, will provide the security of the US Embassy and continued support at the airport. Officials said the United States had agreed to leave C-RAM (or counter rocket, artillery, mortar systems) and troops to operate it at the airport as part of an agreement with Turkey. The United States also plans to leave a crew to assist helicopters at the airport.

According to officials, Turkey generally agrees to provide security to the airport as long as it receives support from the US military. US Turkish military officials will meet in Ankara this week to finalize the deal.

On Wednesday, Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said there was no written agreement with the Turks on airport security. He said he didn’t want to talk about the details before the final agreement was reached, but added that “it is very comfortable to keep Kabul Airport safe and the Turks will be part of it.”

The U.S. military’s departure, which began with Biden’s announcement in April that it would end U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan, evacuated tens of thousands of interpreters and others who worked with the U.S. military during the war. The plans are skyrocketing as the government advances and now they are afraid of their safety.

Government officials said Thursday that plans to move Afghanistan and its families to other countries and US territories during the visa application process have been accelerating recently. Officials discussed unannounced plans, subject to anonymity. The government plans to evacuate late this summer, perhaps in August, according to a second official who is familiar with the deliberations but is not allowed to discuss it publicly.

The Pentagon said the military was ready to assist the State Department as needed, but charter flights could be sufficient to move Afghan visa applicants and therefore necessarily require military airlift. I showed that I wouldn’t.

Officials said NATO allies such as Germany are also very close to being completely abroad.

Pentagon senior leaders, including Austin, have been cautious in recent weeks when asked about the withdrawal of troops, and they have given public details about when the last troops will leave due to security concerns. Refused to offer.