Categories: World

NATO troops to initiate full withdrawal from Afghanistan

<p>
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies on Wednesday agreed to pull out all of their armed forces from Afghanistan after the United States announced that all US troops would leave the country by September 11.</p>
<p>
The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 following the 9/11 attacks, with other NATO members also deploying military forces to the country, in a bid "to confront Al-Qaeda and those who attacked the United States, and to prevent terrorists from using Afghanistan as a safe haven to attack us," according to a statement after a virtual NATO foreign and defence ministers' meeting on Wednesday, Xinhua reported.</p>
<p>
In light of this and recognizing that there is no military solution to the challenges Afghanistan faces, NATO allies have determined to start the military withdrawal by May 1 and will finish it within a few months, the statement said, adding that this drawdown will be "orderly, coordinated, and deliberate."</p>
<p>
"Any Taliban attacks on allied troops during this withdrawal will be met with a forceful response," it noted. Withdrawing troops does not mean ending NATO's relationship with Afghanistan. Rather, this will be "the start of a new chapter," said the statement.</p>
<p>
"We went into Afghanistan together, we have adjusted our posture together and we are united in leaving together," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.</p>
<p>
"Allies and partners will continue to stand with the Afghan people, but it is now for the Afghan people to build a sustainable peace," said Stoltenberg.</p>
<p>
There are currently about 10,000 NATO troops in Afghanistan.</p>
<p>
(IANS)</p>

India Narrative

Recent Posts

India neutralised Pakistan Air Defence System in Lahore: Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

Indian Armed Forces successfully neutralised Pakistan military's attempts of a large-scale drone and missile attack…

8 hours ago

Govt directs OTT platforms to refrain from streaming content having Pakistan origins

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had issued advisory to advisory to publishers of online…

8 hours ago

“Large number of terrorists killed”: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hails Indian Forces on Operation Sindoor

Defence Minister Rajanth Singh on Thursday hailed India's Armed forces for successfully targeting and destroying…

9 hours ago

International Buddhist Confederation, Vietnam Buddhist Sangha signs MOU for deepening cooperation

The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) have signed a Memorandum…

9 hours ago

US asks its citizens to leave Lahore or seek shelter after India strikes Pak’s radar systems

After reports of "drone explosions, downed drones, and possible airspace incursions," the US has asked…

9 hours ago

Harpy drones used by Indian military to target enemy air defence systems

The Harpy drones designed to attack radar systems were used by the Indian armed forces…

10 hours ago