Washington: The United States expects to finish withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan by the end of August, after announcing all American and NATO soldiers had left the conflict-scarred nation’s biggest air base.
Following 20 years of war, US President Joe Biden had set a September 11 deadline for the final pullout of the few remaining soldiers on the ground.
The news that American troops had left Bagram Air Base fueled expectations that the pullout would be completed within days, but White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the troops would be out of the country “by the end of August.”
“The president has long felt… that the war in Afghanistan was not one that can be won militarily,” she told reporters, adding that the United States would continue to provide security systems and humanitarian assistance in the months ahead.
Bagram served as the linchpin for US-led operations in the rugged country, where the long war against the Taliban and their Al-Qaeda allies started in 2001 following the September 11 attacks.
“The American and coalition forces have completely withdrawn from the base and henceforth the Afghan army forces will protect it and use it to combat terrorism,” defense ministry spokesman Fawad Aman tweeted.
A US defense official confirmed their departure, while the Taliban said it welcomed the latest phase of the pullout.
“Their full withdrawal will pave the way for Afghans to decide about their future between themselves,” spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.
One Afghan official said some local thugs and drug addicts attempted to loot equipment at the base, but were stopped by Afghan troops. AFP
