Scott Morrison remains tight-lipped about American withdrawal from Afghanistan

A tense exchange unfolded during a discussion on ABC Insiders, with Scott Morrison snapping at host David Speers.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been hammered with questions about the Australian and American withdrawal from Afghanistan during a tough TV exchange on Sunday.

Appearing on ABC Insiders, the Prime Minister was asked whether he agreed with the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, which began last month, after almost 20 years of occupation.

Anti-terrorism operations in Afghanistan began shortly after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City in 2001.

Australian defence personnel exited at the end of June this year while American troops took until earlier this month.

In just weeks, Taliban jihadists have taken over large parts of the country, including Kabul, the centre of government in Afghanistan.

Thousands have gathered at Kabul airport in an attempt to flee, with more than 550 people evacuated on Australian flights since August 18.

More than 300 people were evacuated on four Australian flights out of Afghanistan overnight, Mr Morrison confirmed.

Australian Defence Force personnel unload luggage from a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster following an evacuation operation from Kabul.

Evacuees from Afghanistan prepare to disembark a Royal Air Force C-130 Hercules at Australia’s main operating base in the Middle East.

The speed at which the Taliban have taken over the country since the American withdrawal prompted Insiders host David Speers to ask the Prime Minister whether “ the withdrawal a mistake”.

“Well, David, after 20 years, the United States made a judgment,” Mr Morrison said.

Speers pressed Mr Morrison, “What was your judgment? Did you at any time raise a point with (former) President Obama or (current) President Biden?”

After the Prime Minister said, “we've had numerous discussions,” Speers again asked Mr Morrison whether he agreed with the withdrawal.

That’s when Mr Morrison began to appear agitated.

“David, I won't go into those conversations,” he said. “The Australians who serve there, the Afghans as well.”

Speers cut Mr Morrison’s answer off and asked, “This is a critical question: Did you as Australian Prime Minister disagree with the American withdrawal?

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison appeared on ABC Insiders with journalist David Speers. Picture: ABC

Then Mr Morrison snapped. “If you let me finish … for 20 years we have all worked hard to try, in the best of our efforts and endeavours, to make a failed state a functional state – ” Mr Morrison said.

Again, Speers cut the Prime Minister’s answer short and interjected, “I understand that, Prime Minister … but the question was whether you agreed or disagreed?”

“David, if you let me finish … sorry, David, I'm going to insist on finishing my answer,” Mr Morrison said.

It comes after armed Taliban forces were seen turning people back at checkpoints while at least 12 people have been killed in and around the airport since Sunday, according to NATO and Taliban officials.

Mr Morrison refused to comment on whether he agreed with America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. Picture: ABC

The Prime Minister said the federal government was doing everything in its power to get as many people possible evacuated to Australia.

“We are uplifting not just Australians and Afghan visa holders for Australia, but those from the United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand,” he said.

“We continue to … get as many people through as we possibly can in the time we have available, as safely as we can.”