Pentagon says family members of U.S. troops left in Afghanistan 'most likely in the dozens'

The U.S. military withdraw from Afghanistan on August 30
The Pentagon

The Pentagon says the number of family members of U.S. troops left in Afghanistan is "most likely in the dozens."

The U.S. military withdraw from Afghanistan on Aug. 30.

Pentagon Spokesperson John Kirby was asked on Wednesday for the number of "immediate family members" of U.S. service members still in Afghanistan. 

"I didn't say we didn't know; I said I don't have a number for you," Kirby said. "We believe it's certainly most likely in the dozens, but one of the reasons we put the memo out last week was to encourage service members to come forward."

Kirby said American citizens in Afghanistan continue to come forward because "maybe they've changed their mind."

"Maybe they didn't want out by August 30th, and maybe now they do. And so the number has -- is changed a little bit," he said.