Pentagon backs efforts by US veterans to evacuate Afghans

The Defense Department supports the ongoing efforts of US military veterans to help evacuate at risk Afghans from the country, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Monday.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin "shares the same concerns that so many of these veterans groups and individual veterans have for our Afghan allies that are still there and still want to leave the country," Kirby told reporters.

"You've heard him say many times that we believe we have a sacred obligation to those who helped us over the last 20 years," the spokesman said. "Nothing's changed about that so he shares their concerns and he welcomes their input."