Donald Trump, the Republican party's nominee for the US president, criticised the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan during Joe Biden's presidency and called it "shameful" and stated that the forces did not withdraw according to his plan.
Trump asserted that under his plan, the US would not have left Afghanistan until the Taliban fulfilled their promises.
During a speech on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention, Trump said, "I spoke with the Taliban leader, and he called me 'Your Excellency’”.
He added, "I warned the Taliban leader that if you kill one American, we will hit you harder than ever before in history."
Trump claimed that the group did not dare to attack American soldiers for 18 months.
He also recalled that during the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, 13 American soldiers were killed and 45 others were injured.
Trump criticised Joe Biden's administration, stating that the US left behind $85 billion worth of equipment during the 2021 withdrawal, which the Taliban are now "selling”.
He also mentioned that the US not only left these weapons but also evacuated Bagram Air Base, which he claimed is now used by China.
Trump concluded by saying that his plan was for US forces to leave Afghanistan gradually and conditionally.
