The White House National Security Council’s Strategic Communications Coordinator, John Kirby, told reporters at a briefing that the United States reserves the right to conduct counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan if such action becomes necessary.
Kirby noted that only a small number of al-Qaeda operatives remain in Afghanistan.
He added that while the presence of al-Qaeda fighters persists, the overall figure is limited, and ongoing assessments guide any potential responses.
A White House spokesperson emphasized that should a credible threat emerge from al-Qaeda or any other terrorist group, President Joe Biden retains the authority to decide on a military operation in Afghanistan.
Kirby also indicated that the administration would be prepared to initiate new strikes if terrorists are located on Afghan soil.
Earlier reports indicated that on July 30, the United States conducted a counter-terrorism operation in Afghanistan, which was attributed to eliminating a senior figure within al-Qaeda who led the group at that time, following the death of Osama bin Laden. The operation was described as having no civilian casualties in the surrounding area, according to statements from the U.S. president and officials.
Current officials stress that any future action would be guided by evolving assessments of threats, regional stability, and the potential impact on civilians and diplomatic efforts in the region.
Analysts note that Afghanistan’s security landscape continues to feature a fragmentary al-Qaeda presence alongside other extremist networks. The administration underlines that counter-terrorism efforts will prioritize minimizing harm to civilians while safeguarding national and regional security interests.
These developments come amid broader discussions about the role of foreign operations in Afghanistan and the balance between counter-terrorism objectives and regional diplomacy, with the United States signaling a readiness to act if credible threats reemerge.