US Congress summons Blinken over Afghanistan withdrawal

The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee has once again summoned Secretary of State Antony Blinken to explain the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan next week.

The committee issued a statement requesting Blinken to explain by September 24 about the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Previously, Michael McCaul, Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, had summoned Blinken for a testimony on Afghanistan on Thursday, September 19.

Yesterday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller announced that Blinken could not testify on Afghanistan due to other pressing matters.

Miller emphasized that Blinken is occupied with important tasks, such as working on a ceasefire in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress warned that if Blinken refuses to appear before Congress, he could be accused of contempt for violating the subpoena.

According to the State Department spokesperson, Blinken has testified more than 14 times about Afghanistan and has appeared four times before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Investigations into the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan were initiated two years ago by McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The issue of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan remains contentious, with Congress seeking further clarification from Blinken. The situation reflects the ongoing challenges and scrutiny surrounding the 2021 withdrawal.

US Congress summons Blinken over Afghanistan withdrawal