Pentagon admits family members of US troops remain in Afghanistan

The Pentagon confirmed that immediate family members of US troops are still in Afghanistan, more than two months after the U.S. withdrew its military from the country.

Last Thursday, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl sent out a memo asking US military personnel and DoD civilians who still have immediate family in Afghanistan to contact his office.

There are over 100 extended family members of U.S. service members that remain in Afghanistan, including parents, children and siblings, according to Defense officials.

However, the exact number and whether they want to leave the country is unclear, officials said.

The memo instructs family members and DoD civilians to email a specific address with the subject “immediate family members.” In addition, they have to provide contact information and their passports.

With this information, the State Department plans to create a database and will work to extract family members who want to leave, said the officials.

“Given the current situation in Afghanistan and the absence of an in-country U.S. embassy presence, there are a number of challenges related to departures of Afghan nationals, including those of unique interest to DoD. However, DoD will continue to provide support in this relocation effort to the greatest possible extent,” wrote Kahl in the memo.

The day before the US military evacuation was completed on August 31, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the State Department was tracking close to 100 Americans that wanted to leave.

On October 22, the U.S. State Dept. said that they were in touch with 363 Americans who were still in Afghanistan, 176 of whom were actively trying to leave the country.

Since the withdrawal of the troops, Members of Congress have been pushing the Pentagon to help service members with families in Afghanistan.

Rep. Michael McCaul sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in September asking them to help the family members of U.S. service members that are still stuck in Afghanistan.

“These brave men and women have volunteered to risk their lives to protect our country. Yet, now, when they need us the most, the federal government has turned our backs on them. If we abandon the family members of our servicemen and women in Afghanistan, they will certainly be slaughtered by the Taliban,” he wrote.