The United States began withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, the U.S. military said Tuesday, taking a step forward on its peace deal with the Taliban.
KABUL, Afghanistan – The United States began withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, the U.S. military said Tuesday, taking a step forward onwhile also praising Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s promise to start releasing Taliban prisoners after he had delayed for over a week.
U.S. military spokesman in Afghanistan Sonny Leggett said in a statement Tuesday that the military had begun its “conditions-based reduction of forces to 8,600 over 135 days.” Taliban officials said late Monday that a flurry of biometric identifications were being conducted on Taliban prisoners, hinting at a mass release, according to prisoners currently in lockup. The Taliban officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to talk to the media.
The U.S. has said its partial troop withdrawal over an 18-month period provided for in the deal will be linked to the Taliban keeping their promises to help fight terror in Afghanistan, but not to the success of talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US starts troop pullout, seeks end to Afghan leaders' feudThe U.S. military begins withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, a step forward on the Trump administration's peace deal with the Taliban. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also promises to start releasing Taliban prisoners after a delay.
Read more »
US starts troop pullout, seeks end to Afghan leaders' feudThe U.S. military says it has begun withdrawing troops from Afghanistan.
Read more »
Dueling Simultaneous Afghan Presidential Inaugurations Bode Ill For Peace TalksCompeting presidential inaugurations took place in Kabul on Monday. As Afghan President Ashraf Ghani took the oath of office for a second term, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, citing fraud, proclaimed himself president at a rival ceremony.
Read more »
Afghan peace pact in chaos as presidential rivals squabbleSquabbling Afghan presidential rivals threatened to both declare themselves president in dueling inauguration ceremonies Monday, throwing plans for negotiations with the Taliban into chaos.
Read more »
Afghan peace pact in chaos as presidential rivals squabbleTalks among Afghans on both sides of the conflict were supposed to be the next crucial step in a US-Taliban peace deal, signed less than two weeks ago.
Read more »
US starts troop pullout, seeks end to Afghan leaders' feudThe U.S. military begins withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, a step forward on the Trump administration's peace deal with the Taliban. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also promises to start releasing Taliban prisoners after a delay.
Read more »