Local veterans react to Pres. Biden’s Afghanistan decision
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - After two decades of fighting, the President made it clear that all troops will come home by September 11th.
President Biden announcing his decision to withdraw all remaining U.S. Troops from Afghanistan.
He says the U.S. "needs to fight the battles for the next 20 years, not the last 20."
[RELATED: Biden to announce withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11]
13 On Your Side spoke with local veterans to get their thoughts on the commander-in-chief's decision and asked if it's the right time to do so.
“I didn't realize it'd been 20 years. And so we talk it's been 20 years of war.”
Local veteran and former sheriff candidate Mark Martinez looks back at the multi-generational war. The longest war the United States has ever been a part of.
President Biden stood in the White House treaty room and 20 years ago President George W. Bush did the same thing when he announced the beginning of the war on terror.
Raul Atondo fought during the war. He thinks now is a good time to withdraw.
“If we have something to do somewhere, then great, but the u.S. Is not the world's police, let people police after each other, that let a country, police after itself, rather than us always being the grandpa or the uncle to a certain war,” Atondo said.
“We got our point across as a military. We did what we had to do in Afghanistan and Iraq. And if he says it's time to come home, it's time to come home,” Martinez explained.
As far as the future, Martinez says our country should be a top priority.
“I think we should concentrate on America, the united states continental united states. Whatever threat, approach the united states and we need to respond to that,” Martinez added.
President Biden has made clear he wants to focus U.S. foreign policy on various threats from China and Russia. Along with the nuclear ambitions of Iran and North Korea.
