Washington has thanked Seoul for assisting in evacuating Afghan citizens from the war-torn country. 

Maj. Gen. William “Hank” Taylor, deputy director for regional operations of the Joint Staff at the U.S. Department of Defense, said in a media briefing on Wednesday that the U.S. is extremely grateful for South Korea’s contribution to increase outflow.

A total of 378 Afghans and their family who were designated “persons of special merit” due to their help in South Korean diplomatic and reconstruction missions are set to arrive in South Korea on Thursday. Thirteen others will arrive shortly after. 

According to Taylor, around 18-thousand Afghans were airlifted out on 42 U.S. military aircraft and 48 aircraft of coalition forces in the past 24 hours. 

Meanwhile, the U.S. general said despite the U.S. focus on the Middle East, his country’s commitment to defending South Korea remains “unchanged and steadfast,” adding its combatant commands are keeping awareness of North Korea’s activities.