Peach Tree Times

A new poll showed veterans in Georgia did not support how President Joe Biden handled the final withdrawal of U.S. forces in Afghanistan – ending the 20-year war that resulted in the deaths of thousands of American troops.

According to the Facebook survey of veterans, 133 respondents, approximately 94%, disapproved of the exit strategy that took place in August; 5% said they supported the decision and 1% had no opinion. 

"Unfortunately, due to Biden’s botched withdrawal, we now see the lack of strategic plan. At this moment there remain more questions than answers, which does not honor the sacrifices of our military, their families and our allies," Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA) told the Peach Tree Times.

Rep. Rick W. Allen | File Photo

Since the conflict began in 2001, 71 Georgians have died in Afghanistan, Fox 31 reported.

Nationally, the social media poll targeting veterans in seven states found that 93.4% of respondents did not believe that the withdrawal honored those who served and gave their lives in the conflict. The poll took place from Sept. 1 to Sept. 9 and received 769 responses. 

A recent poll from the Trafalgar Group reported that 69% of the 1,084 likely voters surveyed disapproved of the exit strategy, according to the Washington Examiner. 

Part of the criticism the Biden administration faced around the withdrawal is that many Americans and Afghanistan allies were left behind, along with the dramatic photograph of Afghans clinging to a U.S. military transport while they taxiing on the runway at the international airport in Kabul. 

Before the final pullout, the State Department was not able to assist all the Americans stranded in Afghanistan and instructed people not to call the embassy for help, stating in an official advisory, “Do not call the U.S. Embassy in Kabul for details or updates about the flight," the Wall Street Journal reported. 

In a set of pre-written remarks, Biden stated, “I always promised the American people that I will be straight with you. The truth is: This did unfold more quickly than we had anticipated.” 

However, in an opinion piece for the website justsecurity.org, Douglas London – former CIA counterterrorism chief for South and Southwest Asia – said Biden’s statement is “misleading at best” as his agency and others anticipated this scenario and briefed the president months ago.