Pompeo: Afghans need to take up the fight for themselves

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 8:59 AM PT – Saturday, July 17, 2021

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said it’s time for the Afghan people to go against the Taliban themselves as the terrorist fighters continue to swiftly gain territories across the country. After speaking at the Family Leadership Summit in Iowa on Friday, Pompeo told reporters the U.S. must take action to prevent growing terror threats from the Middle East.

Pompeo added the Afghan people must have courage to fight the war on terror, noting it’s a “matter of will.” He reiterated, “we don’t need to send Americans to fight if the Afghan people aren’t willing to fight for their freedom.”

It was great to attend the @theFAMiLYLEADER lunch today! I can’t thank them enough for all they do to protect freedom here in Iowa. pic.twitter.com/xpdXautteh

— Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) July 16, 2021

The former secretary of state then pointed out how much funding the U.S. has given Afghanistan, stating he is confident the Afghan people can get the job done.

“We gave them 20 years, $30 billion a year of our assistance. We gave them all the training they could handle. It’s time for them to step forward and actually deliver on security for themselves,” stressed Pompeo. “I am confident that they can do that. I pray that the Afghans will make the right decisions and they’ll do just that.”

Meanwhile, Pompeo is noted as being the only secretary of state to have negotiated directly with senior Taliban officials.

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