8/24/21 - 70-Thousand People Airlifted Out of Afghanistan; Biden says American "On Pace" for August 31st Deadline.

President Joe Biden says American forces and individuals who wish to leave will be out of the country by August 31st. But he says the Taliban must live up to promises.

An August 31st deadline, according to President Joe Biden, remains the goal of America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“We are currently on a pace to finish by August 31st.  The sooner we can finish the better.  Each day of operations brings the added risk to our troops.”
Biden says that risk is from ISIS-K, a group that is also opposed to the Taliban.  
Since August 14th, Biden says the airlift has flown 70-thousand people out of the country.  
The Taliban has announced they want nationals to return to their homes and won’t face reprisals as thousands continue to flee the country.  Many of those leaving on planes are educated women, fearful of the conditions imposed previously by Taliban rulers.  Those include women no longer being educated or going to work.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon says they continue to evacuate Americans and at-risk Afghans.  Security questions remain as another attack was carried out yesterday near the Kabul Airport.  Brigadier General William Taylor was asked if the US was prepared for a possible ISIS attack.
“I know the commanders on the ground continue to communicate, to ensure that the safety of not only around the gates but the other checkpoints so that we can continue to process vulnerable Afghans, other coalition folks, and Americans.”
The President has promised cooperation from G7 countries and other allies.  He also says any Afghans coming to the United States will be fully vetted.