Afghanistan crisis live updates: US troops surge evacuations out of Kabul but threats persist

Eight US military flights — 7 C-17s and 1 C-130 — evacuated approximately 1,700 passengers from Hamid Karzai International Airport. In addition, 39 coalition aircraft took off with approximately 3,400 passengers: White House Official

Since August 14, the US has evacuated & facilitated the evacuation of approximately 30,300 people on military & coalition flights. Since the end of July, we have relocated approximately 35,500 people: White House Official

The US President on Sunday also said he is in discussions with his military officials regarding the extension of the evacuation mission in Afghanistan, beyond the August 31 deadline.

There is no way to evacuate this many people without pain & loss and the heartbreaking images you see, it’s just a fact. My heart aches for those people you see. At the end of the day, if we didn't leave Afghanistan now, when would we?: US President Joe Biden

Discussions are going on among us & the military about extending (Aug 31 evacuation deadline), our hope is, we don't have to extend. But there going to be a discussion, I suspect on how far along we're in the process: US President Joe Biden said during an address from White House

We know that terrorists may seek to exploit the situation & target innocent Afghans or American troops. We’re maintaining constant vigilance to monitor & disrupt threats from any source, including ISIS & the Afghan affiliate known as ISIS-K: US President Joe Biden

Speaking at the White House, Biden said 11,000 people had been airlifted from Kabul in a 36-hour period this weekend, but he did not provide details. The number appeared to include flights by charter and non-U.S. military aircraft as well as the U.S. Air Force C-17 and C-130 transport planes that have been flying daily from the capital. Tens of thousands of people remain to join the airlift, which has been slowed by security issues and U.S. bureaucracy hurdles.

President Joe Biden said Sunday the U.S.-led evacuation of Americans, at-risk Afghans and others from the Kabul airport picked up speed this weekend, although it remains vulnerable to threats posed by the Islamic State extremist group.

He said the United States remained vigilant about possible attacks by ISIS-K or other militant groups, but saw no reason that the accelerated tempo of evacuations could not continue.

Biden says US will support sanctions against the Taliban, depending on the context.

Taliban have been cooperative: Biden

Biden says US has unwavering commitment to bring Americans and vulnerable Afghans to safety.

Security environment in Afghanistan is changing rapidly, under no illusions about threat from ISIS-K: Biden

US President says activated use of commercial aircraft to ferry evacuees should have no effect on commercial air traffic.

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The President says his heart aches for people trying to leave Afghanistan

Biden says there's no reason to not maintain the high tempo of evacuations

He says the US is working to evacuate Afghan partners and citizens of other allies as well