Apply logic.
They want to keep the gullible, so why would you kill them off, they are your main supporters?
The powers that be, both hate, and love, the masses. They NEED the masses, because they provide the, "legitimacy," of their positions, they provide the wealth, and besides, it's no fun being da king when you have no one to lord over.
It's probably nothing more than a distraction. They don't mind losing a few of their minions, as long as they remain safe. It's ALL about the top tier.
OH MY GOSH, I spaced incorrectly, oh dear, whatever shall I do? Get rekt.
Is that you Joe? Kameltoe? No likey audits? Gee, that's too bad.
You know, I used to work for a company that did surveys, I know all kinds of things about polls, and WHY they only give you certain options for answers. KEK. When you limit the possible answers, you control the outcome.
KEK.
What are you? A poll dancer?
The question I have is this. First, who called the shots on this? Second, we have to assume there are both good actors and bad actors over there. Which ones are which? If white hats are running the pull out, then probably the people left behind are black hats. If black hats are running the op, then the ones left behind are probably white hats.
That brings up another question though. We know Afghanistan is the worlds second source of opium. How many, "civilians," are over there, and HOW did they get there, AND, WHY ARE they there in the first place?