Lee concerned that U.S. troop pullout will negate 'progress that has been made'

Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston) expressed concern in a tweet that if U.S. troops pull out of Afghanistan, the safety and social gains made by Afghan women will be put in jeopardy.

President Joe Biden announced his plans to withdraw U.S. troops from the country by Saturday, Sept. 11.

“We simply cannot tolerate incidents like the slaughter, allegedly by the Taliban, of 85 innocent schoolgirls,” Lee tweeted. “An Afghanistan that is democratic, peaceful, safe and just is worthy of the brave sacrifices of our troops and will allow them to come victorious and with honor."

American troop presence in Afghanistan is now in its 19th year and began after the 9-11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York in September of 2001.

Biden, who called Afghanistan a “forever war,” said the continued occupation of the country by U.S. troops could no longer be justified. According to a U.S. Defense Dept. report, 2,312 American soldiers have been killed in the war.

Lee said the USG Humanitarian Assistance Program in Afghanistan helped give the country a constitution and create a democratic form of government. She indicated that leaving the country open to extremist groups like the Taliban would negate such progress.       

“Women were integrally involved in writing the new constitution and serving in the government,” Lee said in the tweet. “Much progress has been made – girls' schools and co-ed institutions – and the dreams of girls and women have been uplifted. I do not wish to see this progress placed at risk by a return to the ruthless ways of the Taliban.”

Lee added that while she supported bringing U.S. troops home, we should not abandon our obligation to the Afghan people.

“Especially the little girls and women,” she said. “While I support President Biden’s commitment to bring all ground troops home from Afghanistan, it must be done consistent with American values and our obligations to the Afghan people.”

On May 8, a girls and boys school the Ul-Shuhada school in the Afghan capital of Kabul was bombed, killing 50 people, according to an NPR report. Most of the victims were girls and young women.

The Taliban when they were in control of the country had banned the education of girls.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani blamed Taliban insurgents for the bombing, but a spokesman for the group denied involvement, a Reuters report said. Families of the victims are blaming the U.S.-backed Afghan government and western powers for failing to end the war and its violence.

According to AP, Biden plans a phased withdrawal beginning this month with up to 3,500 U.S. troops pulled and 7,500 NATO soldiers.