[ ABC News ] Afghanistan updates: Another 1K US troops heading to Kabul, bringing total to 6,000

Another 1,000 soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne have been ordered to head directly to Afghanistan’s capital instead of Kuwait to assist in the evacuation of U.S. personnel and Afghans who assisted the U.S. mission, a U.S. official told ABC News.

That brings the total number of U.S. troops being sent back to Afghanistan to 6,000.

The increase of service members to Kabul follows Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command, meeting with representatives of the Taliban earlier Sunday in Doha, Qatar, to inform them not to interfere with the U.S. mission at the airport, according to a U.S. official.

Ambassador Ross Wilson remains in Afghanistan, according to two U.S. officials. Like other diplomatic personnel, he was shepherded over to the airport earlier Sunday, a U.S. official said, and the plan was for him to remain with the “core” team to continue the embassy’s work from there. The evacuation of American diplomats continues with 500 from the embassy having left on flights so far.

“We’re focused on the mission,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. “We are flowing forces in and protecting our operations and our people and that is what Secretary (Lloyd) Austin made clear to commanders today. We are mindful of the security environment and we’re focused on the mission.”