The Pentagon revealed Tuesday that at least 439 Americans remain trapped in Afghanistan, a number far higher than previously reported.
The information was revealed during testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee from Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl.
“In terms of how many American citizens we estimate are currently in Afghanistan, the Department of State is in contact with 196 American citizens who are ready to depart and arrangements are being made for them to do so, either via air or over ground,” Kahl said.
“And another 243 American citizens have been contacted and are not ready to depart, either because they want to stay in Afghanistan or aren’t ready.”