this is bbc news. the headlines at a... the final uk flight to evacuate civilians from afghanistan has left kabul. the ministry of defence says further flights will bring home uk diplomatic staff and military personnel. the us military says one of its drones has taken out an islamic state group planner, following thursday's attack which killed as many as 170 people at kabul airport. members of the scottish greens have backed a deal that could see its leaders in government for the first time. britain's lorry driver shortage — the business secretary has rejected a temporary loosening of immigration rules and told companies to employ uk—based staff. two world records for the british cycling couple, husband and wife lora and neil fachie, who are amongst seven gb paralympians to win gold today.

a stunning performance by england's bowlers, as they skittled out india before lunch to take victory in the third test at headingley. and the media show examines just why there are so many reboots on tv. that's in half an hour, here on bbc news. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the ministry of defence has announced that the final dedicated flight purely for the evacuation effort from afghanistan has left kabul. we are expecting a briefing from the pentagon very shortly and we will go to that in a moment. further flights leaving

from the airport would be able to carry evacuees but would also transport uk diplomatic staff and military personnel as the operation winds down. it comes as the british ambassador to afghanistan sir laurie bristow said it was "time to close this phase" of the evacuation effort. earlier, the head of the armed forces general sir nick carter said it was "heartbreaking" that they had not been able to rescue everybody who is eligible. our diplomatic affairs correspondent caroline hawley reports. at raf brize norton this morning british military personnel arriving back on uk soil. around a thousand were flown out to afghanistan to help in an unprecedented rescue mission — which is now in its final hours. we've done an extraordinaryjob to evacuate as many as we have, but i'm afraid it's absolutely heartbreaking that we can't bring everybody out. and i think that point has been made very strongly, certainly by the defence secretary and others over the last ten days or so. personally, i've probably had over 100 messages from different afghans who i know in my long association with the country, and many of those friends of mine won't make it out. and for me, not a day passes without me having a bit of a tear in my eye about all of that.

in less than a fortnight, more than 14,000 people have been evacuated by the raf — british nationals and afghans who had worked with the uk, along with theirfamilies. but among serving and former soldiers, there is bitter regret that hundreds have not been able to reach the airport. afghans whose lives are now at grave risk. i served most of my four years in afghanistan, down in helmand province, kandahar province, and most people down there — i mean, forget about getting to kabul. there are ten checkpoints between them and the motorway, let alone down the motorway all the way to kabul. so you can forget about trying to get to the airport because every one of those checkpoints is a danger point where taliban or affiliated groups, drug dealers orjust simply bandits could murder and, sadly, have been murdering various people. the taliban now boast they are at the gates of kabul airport — with american hardware

the us has left behind. but neither they nor international forces could stop the devastating attack on thursday that killed 170 people including 13 american soldiers. 0vernight the us retaliated against the so—called islamic state killing they believe an is planner, in a drone strike. but the threat of further attacks is very real. a bitter, bloody and chaotic end to a 20—year mission. and for so many afghans now, pure dread of what is to come. caroline hawley, bbc news. let's cross to the united states now, and the pentagon where there is a briefing on the situation in afghanistan. they are addressing the drone strike

against a is—k planner who is supposed to have been involved in the attack on kabul. to supposed to have been involved in the attack on kabul.— the attack on kabul. to leverage over the horizon _ the attack on kabul. to leverage over the horizon capability - the attack on kabul. to leverage over the horizon capability to - over the horizon capability to conduct counterterrorism operations as needed. we continue to evacuate american citizens and vulnerable afghans out of kabul. there are approximately 11100 individuals at the kabul airport who have been screened and manifested for flights today. as i said yesterday, we have the ability to include evacuees on military airlift out of afghanistan until the very end. this is a massive military, diplomatic, security and humanitarian undertaken for the united states and our allies. i'll give you a specific update of the last 24. yesterday, 32 us military aircraft, departed with approximately 4000 personnel.

combined with 34 coalition aircraft, an additional 2800 personnel left kabulfor various an additional 2800 personnel left kabul for various intermediate staging bases. 66 flights left out of kabul yesterday with 6800 evacuees. today i can report an updated total evacuation that is more than 117,000. the vast majority of which are afghans. 0f more than 117,000. the vast majority of which are afghans. of this total number, approximately 5400 are american citizens. this is an incredible number of people who are now safer thanks to the heroism of the young men and women putting their lives on the line each day to evacuate american and vulnerable afghans. 0ut evacuate american and vulnerable afghans. out of kabul. the rest of our forces into this operation remain real and significant. i'm sure you can appreciate that. as our

mission begins to end in kabul, thousands of service members are working across the globe and within the us to complete this important mission. six flights will transport about 2000 afghans to the us. since august 20, we have received nearly 30,000 vulnerable afghans and evacuees. a good example of building up evacuees. a good example of building up capacity as we execute this mission, a flight from italy will fly to philadelphia international airport, the second us onward location, to receive flights. as the commander said yesterday, our total capacity across multiple situations as approximately 21000 and growing. we are working to increase capacity to 50,000 by september 15. right now

we are hosting approximately 8000 afghan applicants at fort mccoy, fort bliss, fort lee and joint base maguire. a dedicated team of military and contract personnel are working closely with numerous government and non—government agencies to ensure further requirements and capabilities are available. we will keep you updated on this effort. self com continues to... and north com while evacuating flights is postured to prepare for tropical storm ida. the department of defence will shortly release the names of the 13 service members killed in service to their country. we grieve with their loved ones.

they will be remembered and revered among americans who have served in afghanistan in operation freedom sentinel and operation enduring freedom. fix, sentinel and operation enduring freedom. �* , sentinel and operation enduring freedom. ~ , ., , ., , sentinel and operation enduring freedom. ~ , ., , ., freedom. a couple of questions on the strike last _ freedom. a couple of questions on the strike last night _ freedom. a couple of questions on the strike last night in _ the strike last night in afghanistan. generaltaylorjust afghanistan. general taylor just said that — afghanistan. generaltaylorjust said that two high targets were killed _ said that two high targets were killed and one wounded. the initial announcement said one. was this a single _ announcement said one. was this a single strike and can you explain any more — single strike and can you explain any more about whether these were directly— any more about whether these were directly involved in the thursday bombing — directly involved in the thursday bombing of kabul airport? without caettin into bombing of kabul airport? without getting into too — bombing of kabul airport? without getting into too much _ bombing of kabul airport? without getting into too much tactical- getting into too much tactical detail in terms of munitions used i will tell you it was a single mission to get these targets and as

the assessments and information flowed over time we were able to recognise that another was killed as well. and one wounded. battle damage assessment as you know sometimes takes time, information comes in. as we had more clarity we wanted to be transparent about that. does we had more clarity we wanted to be transparent about that.— transparent about that. does that mean they were _ transparent about that. does that mean they were involved - transparent about that. does that mean they were involved directly| transparent about that. does that i mean they were involved directly in the kabul— mean they were involved directly in the kabul attack? they mean they were involved directly in the kabul attack?— the kabul attack? they were is-k lanners the kabul attack? they were is-k planners and _ the kabul attack? they were is-k planners and facilitators - the kabul attack? they were is-k planners and facilitators and - the kabul attack? they were is-k planners and facilitators and that| planners and facilitators and that is enough reason alone. i will not speak to the details of these individuals or what their specific roles might be but as the general said we have the ability to carry out over the horizon counterterrorism. ., ,., counterterrorism. the airport situation at _ counterterrorism. the airport situation at the _ counterterrorism. the airport situation at the moment, - counterterrorism. the airport situation at the moment, is l counterterrorism. the airport| situation at the moment, is it counterterrorism. the airport - situation at the moment, is it true that only— situation at the moment, is it true that only us passport holders are being _ that only us passport holders are being allowed into the airport through— being allowed into the airport

through the gates? any being allowed into the airport through the gates?— being allowed into the airport throu:hthe ates? �* , ,, through the gates? any us passport holder that wants _ through the gates? any us passport holder that wants to _ through the gates? any us passport holder that wants to get _ through the gates? any us passport holder that wants to get in - through the gates? any us passport holder that wants to get in can - through the gates? any us passport holder that wants to get in can get l holder that wants to get in can get in and we are still... i don't think i'm wrong, we are still processing and getting on planes. siv applicants and vulnerable afghans. they are being allowed onto the airport? — they are being allowed onto the airport? sis they are being allowed onto the airort? �* , ., they are being allowed onto the airort? �*, ., .,, ~' ., they are being allowed onto the airport?_ can i they are being allowed onto the i airport?_ can you airport? as far as i know. can you rive us airport? as far as i know. can you give us the _ airport? as far as i know. can you give us the names _ airport? as far as i know. can you give us the names of— airport? as far as i know. can you give us the names of the - airport? as far as i know. can you i give us the names of the individuals killed _ give us the names of the individuals killed in— give us the names of the individuals killed in this — give us the names of the individuals killed in this strike? _ give us the names of the individuals killed in this strike? no. _ give us the names of the individuals killed in this strike? no. if- give us the names of the individuals killed in this strike? no. if i- give us the names of the individuals killed in this strike? no. if i can - killed in this strike? no. ifi can no killed in this strike? no. ifi can to back killed in this strike? no. ifi can go back to _ killed in this strike? if i can go back to thursday's killed in this strike?- if i can go back to thursday's suicide i go back to thursday's suicide bombing. _ go back to thursday's suicide bombing, there _ go back to thursday's suicide bombing, there appeared - go back to thursday's suicide bombing, there appeared toi go back to thursday's suicide . bombing, there appeared to be footage — bombing, there appeared to be footage that _ bombing, there appeared to be footage that some _ bombing, there appeared to be footage that some of— bombing, there appeared to be footage that some of the - bombing, there appeared to be . footage that some of the civilians killed _ footage that some of the civilians killed appeared _ footage that some of the civilians killed appeared to _ footage that some of the civilians killed appeared to be _ footage that some of the civilians killed appeared to be shot - footage that some of the civilians killed appeared to be shot by- footage that some of the civilians killed appeared to be shot by the| killed appeared to be shot by the marines— killed appeared to be shot by the marines at— killed appeared to be shot by the marines at the _ killed appeared to be shot by the marines at the gate. _ killed appeared to be shot by the marines at the gate. do - killed appeared to be shot by the marines at the gate. do you - killed appeared to be shot by thej marines at the gate. do you have killed appeared to be shot by the - marines at the gate. do you have any evidence? _ marines at the gate. do you have any evidence? trite — marines at the gate. do you have any evidence? ~ .., �* marines at the gate. do you have any evidence? ~ �* _, ., ., evidence? we can't confirm that and are not in a — evidence? we can't confirm that and are not in a position _ evidence? we can't confirm that and are not in a position to _ evidence? we can't confirm that and are not in a position to deny - evidence? we can't confirm that and are not in a position to deny it - are not in a position to deny it either. we are investigating and as

we get more information you can reliably communicate to you about this, we will. did reliably communicate to you about this, we will-— this, we will. did this air strike have anything _ this, we will. did this air strike have anything to _ this, we will. did this air strike have anything to do _ this, we will. did this air strike have anything to do with - this, we will. did this air strike have anything to do with the i have anything to do with the potential for future attack? what capabilities might isis have lost in this drone — capabilities might isis have lost in this drone strike? | capabilities might isis have lost in this drone strike?— this drone strike? i will let the state department _ this drone strike? i will let the state department speak - this drone strike? i will let the state department speak for i this drone strike? i will let the | state department speak for the advisory they sent out, it is not uncommon for them to do that particularly any country like afghanistan and they are constantly watching the threat environment, as are we, and they are doing the prudent and responsible thing to inform americans in kabul about what is best for their own safety but i will let the state department speak to the rationale. they are doing what they believe they need to do to keep people safe. i won't talk about specific capabilities that isis may

have lost. they lost a planner and facilitator and they have one wounded. the fact that two of these individuals are no longer walking the face of the earth is a good thing, for the people of afghanistan, for our troops and forces at their full —— at the airfield. forces at their full -- at the airfield. ~ ., forces at their full -- at the airfield-— forces at their full -- at the airfield. ~ . , ., , ., airfield. we have seen a number of allies bring — airfield. we have seen a number of allies bring evacuation _ airfield. we have seen a number of allies bring evacuation operations i allies bring evacuation operations to a close — allies bring evacuation operations to a close early. well the us stay there _ to a close early. well the us stay there through the 31st? we to a close early. well the us stay there through the 31st?— there through the 31st? we will com - lete there through the 31st? we will complete the — there through the 31st? we will complete the mission - there through the 31st? we will complete the mission by - there through the 31st? we will complete the mission by the i there through the 31st? we will. complete the mission by the end of the month and nothing has changed about the timeline for us. we will do this as safe and orderly as possible. do this as safe and orderly as ossible. ~ ., do this as safe and orderly as possible-— do this as safe and orderly as ossible. ~ . ., ,., ., ., possible. what about the threat at the airport? _ possible. what about the threat at the airport? the _ possible. what about the threat at the airport? the threats _ possible. what about the threat at the airport? the threats are - possible. what about the threat at the airport? the threats are still. the airport? the threats are still very real, _ the airport? the threats are still very real, they _ the airport? the threats are still very real, they are _ the airport? the threats are still very real, they are very - the airport? the threats are still very real, they are very dynamicj the airport? the threats are still- very real, they are very dynamic and we are monitoring them in real time and, as i said yesterday, we are taking all the means necessary to make sure we remain focused on that

threat and doing what we can for force protection.— force protection. have us troops betun force protection. have us troops begun retrograde _ force protection. have us troops begun retrograde withdrawal - force protection. have us troops. begun retrograde withdrawal from force protection. have us troops - begun retrograde withdrawal from the airport? _ begun retrograde withdrawal from the airport? can— begun retrograde withdrawal from the airport? can you— begun retrograde withdrawal from the airport? can you say— begun retrograde withdrawal from the airport? can you say anything - begun retrograde withdrawal from the airport? can you say anything about . airport? can you say anything about the number— airport? can you say anything about the numberwho— airport? can you say anything about the number who have _ airport? can you say anything about the number who have left? - airport? can you say anything about the number who have left? n0. - airport? can you say anything about the number who have left? n0. thej the number who have left? hist.- numbers the number who have left? the numbers of military aircraft the number who have left?- the numbers of military aircraft leavingl numbers of military aircraft leaving is consistent — numbers of military aircraft leaving is consistent with _ numbers of military aircraft leaving is consistent with the _ numbers of military aircraft leaving is consistent with the last - numbers of military aircraft leaving is consistent with the last few - numbers of military aircraft leaving is consistent with the last few daysj is consistent with the last few days but the _ is consistent with the last few days but the number— is consistent with the last few days but the number of _ is consistent with the last few days but the number of passengers - is consistent with the last few days but the number of passengers is l is consistent with the last few days . but the number of passengers is down so does _ but the number of passengers is down so does that— but the number of passengers is down so does that mean _ but the number of passengers is down so does that mean we _ but the number of passengers is down so does that mean we are _ but the number of passengers is down so does that mean we are moving - so does that mean we are moving ntilitary_ so does that mean we are moving military equipment _ so does that mean we are moving military equipment or— so does that mean we are moving military equipment or are - so does that mean we are moving military equipment or are the - so does that mean we are moving. military equipment or are the plays and is _ military equipment or are the plays and isjust— military equipment or are the plays and isjust not— military equipment or are the plays and isjust not full? _ military equipment or are the plays and isjust not full? —— _ military equipment or are the plays and isjust not full? —— planes- military equipment or are the plays and isjust not full? —— planes not. and isjust not full? —— planes not full _ and is 'ust not full? -- planes not full. ~ , , ., full. meeting the mission requirement _ full. meeting the mission requirement by _ full. meeting the mission requirement by august . full. meeting the mission i requirement by august the full. meeting the mission - requirement by august the 31st is what their commanders are executing. do you not have enough passengers? there _ do you not have enough passengers? there is _ do you not have enough passengers? there is equipment _ do you not have enough passengers? there is equipment leaving _ do you not have enough passengers? there is equipment leaving on- do you not have enough passengers? there is equipment leaving on thosel there is equipment leaving on those flights as originally planned. haste flights as originally planned. have there been any — flights as originally planned. have

there been any attacks? - flights as originally planned. have there been any attacks? general mckenzie — there been any attacks? general mckenzie said _ there been any attacks? general mckenzie said the _ there been any attacks? general mckenzie said the taliban - there been any attacks? general mckenzie said the taliban had i mckenzie said the taliban had thwarted _ mckenzie said the taliban had thwarted some _ mckenzie said the taliban had thwarted some attacks i mckenzie said the taliban had thwarted some attacks beforej thwarted some attacks before thursday _ thwarted some attacks before thursday. any— thwarted some attacks before thursday. any other - thwarted some attacks before thursday. any other attacks l thwarted some attacks before i thursday. any other attacks you are aware _ thursday. any other attacks you are aware that — thursday. any other attacks you are aware that the — thursday. any other attacks you are aware that the taliban _ thursday. any other attacks you are aware that the taliban have - thursday. any other attacks you are i aware that the taliban have stopped? i aware that the taliban have stopped? i don't _ aware that the taliban have stopped? i don't have _ aware that the taliban have stopped? idon't have specific— aware that the taliban have stopped? idon't have specific reports— aware that the taliban have stopped? idon't have specific reports of- i don't have specific reports of that other than as we just talked, the security of the base is the most important thing we are going to allow us to continue our mission. you said the threat at the airport remains — you said the threat at the airport remains active and dynamic. is it fair to— remains active and dynamic. is it fair to say— remains active and dynamic. is it fair to say that whether or not those — fair to say that whether or not those people killed, that the threat at the _ those people killed, that the threat at the airport remains unchanged? | at the airport remains unchanged? wouldn't at the airport remains unchanged? i wouldn't say that it remains unchanged. i said wouldn't say that it remains unchanged. isaid it wouldn't say that it remains unchanged. i said it remains active and dynamic. i5 unchanged. i said it remains active and dynamic-— and dynamic. is it as serious as it was yesterday? _ and dynamic. is it as serious as it was yesterday? it _ and dynamic. is it as serious as it was yesterday? it is _ and dynamic. is it as serious as it was yesterday? it is a _ and dynamic. is it as serious as it was yesterday? it is a serious i was yesterday? it is a serious

threat. was yesterday? it is a serious threat- l'm — was yesterday? it is a serious threat. i'm not _ was yesterday? it is a serious threat. i'm not sure _ was yesterday? it is a serious threat. i'm not sure how- was yesterday? it is a serious threat. i'm not sure how any| threat. i'm not sure how any potential terrorist threat can be anything other than serious, and we should take it seriously.— should take it seriously. yesterday ou denied should take it seriously. yesterday you denied the _ should take it seriously. yesterday you denied the taliban _ should take it seriously. yesterday you denied the taliban claim i should take it seriously. yesterday you denied the taliban claim that i you denied the taliban claim that they had — you denied the taliban claim that they had assumed responsibility for security— they had assumed responsibility for security at— they had assumed responsibility for security at some parts of the airport _ security at some parts of the airport is— security at some parts of the airport. is that still the case that the taliban do not provide security at the _ the taliban do not provide security at the airport itself? that the taliban do not provide security at the airport itself?— at the airport itself? that is still the case. will— at the airport itself? that is still the case. will that _ at the airport itself? that is still the case. will that remain i at the airport itself? that is still the case. will that remain the i at the airport itself? that is still i the case. will that remain the case until the end _ the case. will that remain the case until the end or— the case. will that remain the case until the end or at _ the case. will that remain the case until the end or at some _ the case. will that remain the case until the end or at some point i the case. will that remain the case until the end or at some point will| until the end or at some point will they have — until the end or at some point will they have to move into the airport to keep _ they have to move into the airport to keep the — they have to move into the airport to keep the crowds at bay while the last planes— to keep the crowds at bay while the last planes take off? i to keep the crowds at bay while the last planes take off?— last planes take off? i won't talk about the specifics _ last planes take off? i won't talk about the specifics as _ last planes take off? i won't talk about the specifics as we i last planes take off? i won't talk about the specifics as we get i last planes take off? i won't talk i about the specifics as we get closer to the end. let me just say this. as clearly as i can. we will maintain the ability to defend ourselves and our operations all the way through.

did the taliban provide any intelligence _ did the taliban provide any intelligence or— did the taliban provide any intelligence or support i did the taliban provide any| intelligence or support with did the taliban provide any- intelligence or support with this drone _ intelligence or support with this drone strike _ intelligence or support with this drone strike that _ intelligence or support with this drone strike that killed - intelligence or support with this drone strike that killed the i intelligence or support with this drone strike that killed the ton drone strike that killed the two isis terrorists? _ drone strike that killed the two isis terrorists? [— drone strike that killed the two isis terrorists?— drone strike that killed the two isis terrorists? i won't talk about intelligence _ isis terrorists? i won't talk about intelligence matters. _ isis terrorists? i won't talk about intelligence matters. we i isis terrorists? i won't talk about intelligence matters. we had i isis terrorists? i won't talk about i intelligence matters. we had useful intelligence matters. we had useful intelligence on our own to conduct this strike. d0 intelligence on our own to conduct this strike. , ., intelligence on our own to conduct this strike. i. _, , this strike. do you consider the taliban and _ this strike. do you consider the taliban and the _ this strike. do you consider the taliban and the network- this strike. do you consider the i taliban and the network separate entities? — taliban and the network separate entities? l— taliban and the network separate entities? ., �* , ., ., entities? i won't give you a breakdown _ entities? i won't give you a breakdown of _ entities? i won't give you a i breakdown of characterisation of entities? i won't give you a - breakdown of characterisation of the taliban. you've got to remember what we are focused on here and that is on getting more people out, getting our troops out and completing this mission and i'm not sure what benefit it does for me to try to characterise one group or another. the deputy leader of the taliban has a bounty— the deputy leader of the taliban has a bounty on— the deputy leader of the taliban has a bounty on his _ the deputy leader of the taliban has a bounty on his head _ the deputy leader of the taliban has a bounty on his head so— the deputy leader of the taliban has

a bounty on his head so are - the deputy leader of the taliban has a bounty on his head so are the i a bounty on his head so are the separate — a bounty on his head so are the separate entities? _ a bounty on his head so are the separate entities?— separate entities? there is a certain amount _ separate entities? there is a certain amount of _ separate entities? there is a i certain amount of commingling. but i am pushing back on the relevance of that discussion to what we are doing today, evacuating safely and getting our troops out safely.— our troops out safely. every ma'or the news patted our troops out safely. every ma'or the news paper said i our troops out safely. every ma'or the news paper said the i our troops out safely. every ma'or the news paper said the us i our troops out safely. every major the news paper said the us brass| the news paper said the us brass recommended _ the news paper said the us brass recommended leaving _ the news paper said the us brass recommended leaving 2500 i the news paper said the us brass i recommended leaving 2500 troops in afghanistan, — recommended leaving 2500 troops in afghanistan, recommended- recommended leaving 2500 troops in afghanistan, recommended to i recommended leaving 2500 troops in afghanistan, recommended to the i afghanistan, recommended to the president. — afghanistan, recommended to the president. not— afghanistan, recommended to the president, not been _ afghanistan, recommended to the president, not been pulled i afghanistan, recommended to the president, not been pulled out. i afghanistan, recommended to the i president, not been pulled out. have you asked _ president, not been pulled out. have you asked any — president, not been pulled out. have you asked any news _ president, not been pulled out. have you asked any news outlet _ president, not been pulled out. have you asked any news outlet for- president, not been pulled out. have you asked any news outlet for a i you asked any news outlet for a correction? _

you asked any news outlet fora correction? ithie— you asked any news outlet for a correction?— you asked any news outlet for a correction? ~ ., �* ., ,, ., ., , you asked any news outlet for a correction? ~ ., �* .,~ ., ., , ., correction? we don't make a habit to talk publicly — correction? we don't make a habit to talk publicly one _ correction? we don't make a habit to talk publicly one way _ correction? we don't make a habit to talk publicly one way or— correction? we don't make a habit to talk publicly one way or the - correction? we don't make a habit to talk publicly one way or the other, i talk publicly one way or the other, right, wrong, up, down, more or less, about the advice and counsel pentagon leaders give the commander—in—chief. has pentagon leaders give the commander-in-chief. . , , commander-in-chief. has there been another helicopter _ commander-in-chief. has there been another helicopter evacuation i another helicopter evacuation recently? i another helicopter evacuation recentl ? ., �* ~' another helicopter evacuation recentl ? ., �* ~ recently? i don't think there has been. recently? i don't think there has been- can _ recently? i don't think there has been- can i _ recently? i don't think there has been. can i follow _ recently? i don't think there has been. can i follow up _ recently? i don't think there has been. can i follow up on i recently? i don't think there has been. can i follow up on the - been. can i follow up on the discussion _ been. can i follow up on the discussion about _ been. can i follow up on the discussion about the - been. can i follow up on the discussion about the drone l been. can i follow up on the - discussion about the drone strike yesterday? it has been characterised as retaliation, a reprisal for the bombing — as retaliation, a reprisal for the bombing at the airport. is that accurate — bombing at the airport. is that accurate or was this something that is part— accurate or was this something that is part of— accurate or was this something that is part of your over the horizon counterterrorism planning you were already— counterterrorism planning you were already planning? this counterterrorism planning you were already planning?— already planning? this was a little bit of both- _ already planning? this was a little bit of both. we — already planning? this was a little bit of both. we have _ already planning? this was a little bit of both. we have the _ already planning? this was a little bit of both. we have the ability . already planning? this was a little bit of both. we have the ability to | bit of both. we have the ability to conduct over the horizon counterterrorism capabilities. this

fits in that mould. it is not coincidence that it happened just a couple of days after we lost 13 braver servicemembers.- couple of days after we lost 13 braver servicemembers. you: a lanner braver servicemembers. you: a planner and _ braver servicemembers. you: a planner and another _ braver servicemembers. you: a planner and another a - braver servicemembers. you: a l planner and another a facilitator. what _ planner and another a facilitator. what is _ planner and another a facilitator. what is the difference? that planner and another a facilitator. what is the difference?— planner and another a facilitator. what is the difference? that is the clarification. _ what is the difference? that is the clarification, planner _ what is the difference? that is the clarification, planner facilitator, i clarification, plannerfacilitator, those that would have the ability to facilitate or help plan attacks. it gave us the ability and authority to conduct those missions. imore gave us the ability and authority to conduct those missions. were they involved in planning _ conduct those missions. were they involved in planning an _ conduct those missions. were they involved in planning an imminent l involved in planning an imminent attack? _ involved in planning an imminent attack? we involved in planning an imminent attack? ~ ., �* ., ., ., involved in planning an imminent attack? ., ., ., ., attack? we won't go into detail on intelligence _ attack? we won't go into detail on intelligence information _ attack? we won't go into detail on intelligence information that - attack? we won't go into detail on intelligence information that led i attack? we won't go into detail on | intelligence information that led to

that attack or strike or future operations. that attack or strike or future operations— that attack or strike or future 0 erations. ., .., operations. you called them high rofile. operations. you called them high profile. could _ operations. you called them high profile. could you _ operations. you called them high profile. could you explain - operations. you called them high profile. could you explain to - operations. you called them high profile. could you explain to us, | profile. could you explain to us, but not — profile. could you explain to us, but not senior, _ profile. could you explain to us, but not senior, what— profile. could you explain to us, but not senior, what makes- profile. could you explain to us, but not senior, what makes you| profile. could you explain to us, - but not senior, what makes you say they are _ but not senior, what makes you say they are high—profile? _ but not senior, what makes you say they are high-profile?— they are high-profile? based on intelligence _ they are high-profile? based on intelligence collected _ they are high-profile? based on intelligence collected and - intelligence collected and activities in the past, that was the classification used for those. flan classification used for those. can ou classification used for those. can you clarify. _ classification used for those. can you clarify. were _ classification used for those. can you clarify, were you targeting both of these _ you clarify, were you targeting both of these individuals _ you clarify, were you targeting both of these individuals or _ you clarify, were you targeting both of these individuals or targeting - of these individuals or targeting one and — of these individuals or targeting one and the _ of these individuals or targeting one and the other— of these individuals or targeting one and the other one - of these individuals or targeting i one and the other one happened of these individuals or targeting . one and the other one happened to of these individuals or targeting - one and the other one happened to be there and _ one and the other one happened to be there and got— one and the other one happened to be there and got struck? _ one and the other one happened to be there and got struck? me— one and the other one happened to be there and got struck?— there and got struck? we had the intelligence _ there and got struck? we had the intelligence that _ there and got struck? we had the intelligence that led _ there and got struck? we had the intelligence that led us _ there and got struck? we had the intelligence that led us to - there and got struck? we had the intelligence that led us to the - intelligence that led us to the target area and allowed for that strike to happen with the pda as briefed. ~ , ., ., ., briefed. were you targeting to individuals _ briefed. were you targeting to individuals in _ briefed. were you targeting to individuals in this _ briefed. were you targeting to individuals in this strike? - briefed. were you targeting to individuals in this strike? we i briefed. were you targeting to i

individuals in this strike? we had intelligence _ individuals in this strike? we had intelligence that _ individuals in this strike? we had intelligence that allowed - individuals in this strike? we had intelligence that allowed us - individuals in this strike? we had intelligence that allowed us to i intelligence that allowed us to conduct the strike on to individuals.— conduct the strike on to individuals. ~ . , ., , , , , individuals. what is the assessment or feelinu individuals. what is the assessment or feeling about _ individuals. what is the assessment or feeling about the _ individuals. what is the assessment or feeling about the impact - individuals. what is the assessment or feeling about the impact of i individuals. what is the assessment or feeling about the impact of this l or feeling about the impact of this strike _ or feeling about the impact of this strike on— or feeling about the impact of this strike on is-k— or feeling about the impact of this strike on is—k in— or feeling about the impact of this strike on is—k in afghanistan? i or feeling about the impact of this i strike on is—k in afghanistan? have you degraded — strike on is—k in afghanistan? have you degraded them _ strike on is—k in afghanistan? have you degraded them in— strike on is—k in afghanistan? have you degraded them in any- strike on is—k in afghanistan? have you degraded them in any fashion? | you degraded them in any fashion? can you _ you degraded them in any fashion? can you exalain _ you degraded them in any fashion? can you explain that? _ you degraded them in any fashion? can you explain that? have - you degraded them in any fashion? can you explain that? have you i can you explain that? have you deterred — can you explain that? have you deterred or— can you explain that? have you deterred or degraded? - can you explain that? have you deterred or degraded? what i can you explain that? have you deterred or degraded? what is| can you explain that? have you i deterred or degraded? what is your conclusion— deterred or degraded? what is your conclusion about _ deterred or degraded? what is your conclusion about the _ deterred or degraded? what is your conclusion about the impact - deterred or degraded? what is your conclusion about the impact of i deterred or degraded? what is your conclusion about the impact of thisi conclusion about the impact of this strike? _ conclusion about the impact of this strike? , ., ., , ., strike? they have two high profile lanners, strike? they have two high profile planners. one _ strike? they have two high profile planners, one planner, _ strike? they have two high profile planners, one planner, one i planners, one planner, one facilitator, that are no longer on their muster roll so they have lost some capability to plan to conduct missions. make no mistake, nobody is writing this off and saying, well, we got them so we don't have to

worry about is—k any more. not the case. the threat is still active, still dynamic, we are still laser focused on that and force protection and we don't think for a minute that what happened yesterday gets us in the clear. but do we believe that we hit valid targets, bad guys who can do bad things, had missions? absolutely. so correct? . for much? watch this. s delphic does have a sense of isis i’ilht s delphic does have a sense of isis right now? — s delphic does have a sense of isis right now? brie _ s delphic does have a sense of isis riaht now? ~ , ., ., ., .,

right now? we put a lot of... i am auoin to right now? we put a lot of... i am going to leave _ right now? we put a lot of... i am going to leave that _ right now? we put a lot of... i am going to leave that for _ right now? we put a lot of... i am going to leave that for security i going to leave that for security purposes. going to leave that for security --uroses. ~ ., purposes. where did the unmanned aircraft come _ purposes. where did the unmanned aircraft come from? _ purposes. where did the unmanned aircraft come from? over— purposes. where did the unmanned aircraft come from? over the i aircraft come from? over the horizon- _ aircraft come from? over the horizon. there _ aircraft come from? over the horizon. there were - aircraft come from? over the horizon. there were reports | aircraft come from? over the l horizon. there were reports of aircraft come from? over the i horizon. there were reports of the tar: ets horizon. there were reports of the targets were _ horizon. there were reports of the targets were any _ horizon. there were reports of the targets were any vehicle. - horizon. there were reports of the targets were any vehicle. was i horizon. there were reports of the l targets were any vehicle. was there any other— targets were any vehicle. was there any other damage to infrastructure? we are _ any other damage to infrastructure? we are going to be lowth to release tactical detail here. i hope you can understand we aren't going to be able to understand the —— able to release the detail. is it able to understand the -- able to release the detail.— release the detail. is it possible the terrorists _ release the detail. is it possible the terrorists have _ release the detail. is it possible the terrorists have gone - the terrorists have gone underground? you can't target the city itself — underground? you can't target the city itself with air strikes. we

underground? you can't target the city itself with air strikes.- city itself with air strikes. we are watchin: city itself with air strikes. we are watching the _ city itself with air strikes. we are watching the threat _ city itself with air strikes. we are watching the threat very - city itself with air strikes. we are l watching the threat very carefully. clearly they have the ability to operate inside campbell and we are mindful of that and we are watching it as closely as we can —— inside kabul. we are trying to make sure that we have available to us as much information and context is possible to prepare for any future attacks and certainly we have to assume those could come from or be planned out of places that they might have established themselves in kabul. i think that is as far as we can go right now. when are we handing the airport over to the taliban? will they be running the airport or will they be running the airport or will they be running it with qatar and

turkey as has been reported? we will run it until the end and those details will be worked out. right now we will continue to run the airfield to make sure we can execute our operations. share airfield to make sure we can execute our operations— our operations. are some of the ates our operations. are some of the gates welded — our operations. are some of the gates welded shut? _ our operations. are some of the gates welded shut? there i our operations. are some of the gates welded shut? there are l our operations. are some of the i gates welded shut? there are gates that are closed _ gates welded shut? there are gates that are closed right _ gates welded shut? there are gates that are closed right now. _ gates welded shut? there are gates that are closed right now. but i gates welded shut? there are gates that are closed right now. but we i gates welded shut? there are gates| that are closed right now. but we do have gates that continue to be open as we coordinate with the department of state to get people in for evacuation. i of state to get people in for evacuation.— of state to get people in for evacuation. , ,, , ., . , evacuation. i express my condolences to the families _ evacuation. i express my condolences to the families of _ evacuation. i express my condolences to the families of lost _ evacuation. i express my condolences to the families of lost loved _ evacuation. i express my condolences to the families of lost loved ones. i to the families of lost loved ones. despite _ to the families of lost loved ones. despite this — to the families of lost loved ones. despite this massive _ to the families of lost loved ones. despite this massive effort - to the families of lost loved ones. despite this massive effort to i despite this massive effort to evacuate _ despite this massive effort to evacuate folks, _ despite this massive effort to evacuate folks, there - despite this massive effort to evacuate folks, there were i despite this massive effort to evacuate folks, there were al despite this massive effort to - evacuate folks, there were a number of organisations _ evacuate folks, there were a number of organisations including _ evacuate folks, there were a number of organisations including current i of organisations including current and former— of organisations including current and former military _ of organisations including current

and former military that - of organisations including current and former military that feel i and former military that feel frustration _ and former military that feel frustration that— and former military that feel frustration that they - and former military that feel frustration that they can i and former military that feel frustration that they can get| and former military that feel - frustration that they can get people out. frustration that they can get people out as— frustration that they can get people out as the — frustration that they can get people out. as the department _ frustration that they can get people out. as the department of - frustration that they can get people out. as the department of defence | out. as the department of defence cooperating — out. as the department of defence cooperating with _ out. as the department of defence cooperating with any _ out. as the department of defence cooperating with any of _ out. as the department of defence cooperating with any of these i cooperating with any of these organisations? _ cooperating with any of these organisations? and _ cooperating with any of these organisations? and what i cooperating with any of these organisations? and what is i cooperating with any of these i organisations? and what is your message — organisations? and what is your message to _ organisations? and what is your message to these _ organisations? and what is your. message to these organisations? organisations? and what is your- message to these organisations? are they helping — message to these organisations? are they helping or — message to these organisations? are they helping or hindering? _ message to these organisations? are they helping or hindering? given- they helping or hindering? given what _ they helping or hindering? given what you — they helping or hindering? given what you know— they helping or hindering? given what you know about _ they helping or hindering? given what you know about how - they helping or hindering? given what you know about how this i they helping or hindering? given what you know about how this is| what you know about how this is unfolding. — what you know about how this is unfolding, should _ what you know about how this is unfolding, should they - what you know about how this is unfolding, should they continue | unfolding, should they continue their— unfolding, should they continue their operations? _ unfolding, should they continue their operations? it— unfolding, should they continue their operations? [it is _ unfolding, should they continue their operations?— their operations? it is certainly not for their operations? it is certainly rrot for us _ their operations? it is certainly rrot for us to — their operations? it is certainly not for us to tell _ their operations? it is certainly not for us to tell them - their operations? it is certainly not for us to tell them to i their operations? it is certainly not for us to tell them to stop | not for us to tell them to stop caring about individuals that they know in afghanistan. as you might imagine, we are working off many different streams of information about various vulnerable afghan groups, not to mention applicants in the special immigrant visa programme, and american citizens, and i don't want to speak for the

state department but the state department has been liaising with a lot of outside groups to help identify those who need to be evacuated. we are primarily responsible for helping provide the secure area at the airport for them to get through to processing, properly manifest them and get them on flights out of there. i think a lot of us are getting e—mails and calls and texts from friends and colleagues, many of them veterans, who are passing information to us to try to help get additional people out, and we are doing the best we can when we are contacted to get that information in the right stream, to the right people on the ground at the airport, to continue to facilitate movement, and as of the general said, we will try to facilitate movement of evacuees right up until the very end. haste

right up until the very end. have these efforts _ right up until the very end. have these efforts helped _ right up until the very end. have these efforts helped or- right up until the very end. have these efforts helped or to i right up until the very end. have these efforts helped or to the add to confusion — these efforts helped or to the add to confusion and _ these efforts helped or to the add to confusion and is _ these efforts helped or to the add to confusion and is the _ these efforts helped or to the add to confusion and is the dod - to confusion and is the dod cooperating? _ to confusion and is the dod cooperating?— to confusion and is the dod cooeratin: ? , ., , ., ., cooperating? they have brought to liuht cooperating? they have brought to light information _ cooperating? they have brought to light information that _ cooperating? they have brought to light information that we _ cooperating? they have brought to light information that we can i cooperating? they have brought to light information that we can act i light information that we can act upon to get additional people out, of course that has been helpful, and we certainly share the concerns that these groups have for these individuals. we feel the same obligation they do. to the degree they have been able to help us latch on and identify, yes that has been helpful. on and identify, yes that has been helful. , ., helpful. one question with the taliban, helpful. one question with the taliban. it _ helpful. one question with the taliban, it is _ helpful. one question with the taliban, it is not _ helpful. one question with the taliban, it is not an _ helpful. one question with the l taliban, it is not an intelligence question— taliban, it is not an intelligence question but was there any kind of coordination and share any information prior to the strike on the isis— information prior to the strike on the isis targets? no. and burning to

the isis targets? i157. and burning to the preparations for folks coming back, _ the preparations for folks coming back, is— the preparations for folks coming back, is there a total number of people. — back, is there a total number of people, evacuees you have on domestic— people, evacuees you have on domestic bases here, plus those kind of on _ domestic bases here, plus those kind of on the _ domestic bases here, plus those kind of on the stuff to come back? different— of on the stuff to come back? different hubs plus the bases over there _ i don't have it with me. we have just under 7000 applicants at us military installations across the country. he has opened up additional installations to try and get us to capacity of may be as much as 50,000 if we need it. he gave that number yesterday and i don't think that number has changed over the last 2a hours. before ijump off, let me check and see if i have got an updated number in europe. i got it

here somewhere, i think.