Groups Like Al-Qaida Could Regenerate in Afghanistan in Two Years, Pentagon Leaders Say

A terror group like Al-Qaida could resurface in Afghanistan within two years following withdrawal of American military forces from the nation, presenting a new threat to the U.S., top Pentagon leaders announced Thursday.

During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley about the probability al-Qaida or a similar group would resurface in the country after the withdrawal. Austin replied that the likelihood of this occurring was "medium," the Associated Press reported.

"I would also say, senator, that it would take possibly two years for them to develop that capability," Austin said.

Milley, an Afghanistan war veteran and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, agreed with Austin's statement.

"I think that if certain other things happen — if there was a collapse of the government or the dissolution of the Afghan security forces — that risk would obviously increase, but right now I would say 'medium' and about two years or so," he said.

President Joe Biden announced in April that American military troops would leave Afghanistan by Sept. 11 this year.

For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.

The U.S. invaded Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on America, when the Taliban allowed Al-Qaida safe haven in the country. The key goal of U.S and coalition troops in Afghanistan since then has been to prevent a resurgence and another attack against America or other allies.

Military leaders have consistently said that combat operations in Afghanistan have greatly reduced the number of Al-Qaida there. But they say that both Al-Qaida and IS continue to aspire to attack America.

The Pentagon has said the U.S. withdrawal after nearly 20 years in Afghanistan is a little more than half completed, and U.S.-led coalition partners also are leaving.