US Defense secretary told lawmakers that Americans have been beaten by Taliban in Kabul, sources say

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(Alex Wong / Getty Images)

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby gave little detail today about how US forces brought 169 Americans to Hamid Karzai International Airport, but described the activity as “aid” rather than a rescue mission.

“My understanding of what happened was that they were really right outside the wall,” he told CNN’s Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr.

“It wasn’t so much a rescue as it was helping them get onto the field,” continued Kirby of the Pentagon.

At Starr’s urging, Kirby said repeatedly that he had no details on U.S. operations outside of the airport, which is being secured by the U.S. military.

“I don’t have that level of detail,” said Kirby. “… I don’t have these tactical details today. I look forward to checking and seeing if we can find answers for you.”

President Biden said in a press conference this afternoon that US troops had gone “over the wall” to bring 169 Americans to the airfield.

Kirby said that apart from “helping” the 169 Americans, he was not aware of any other cases of US soldiers leaving the airport. However, he said the US has increased its capacity to operate off the wire, in contrast to statements made earlier this week by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin who said it did not have the capacity to go out and “grow up” many People.”

In a speech at the Pentagon today, Kirby said they were now “flown with extra capacity and strength.”

“If there was a need to do something extra to help Americans or other vulnerable people we need to get to the airfield, we would look into those options,” Kirby said.

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