November 18, 2020
1 min read

Pentagon chief declares troop cut back in Afghanistan

Miller said on Tuesday that he was announcing the implementation of Trump’s “orders to continue our repositioning of forces from those two countries,”…reports Asian Lite News

US acting Defence Secretary Chirstopher Miller announced that the US troop presence in Afghanistan and Iraq will be reduced to 2,500 in each country by mid-January.

Miller made the announcement in remarks to Pentagon reporters that highlighted the next step in what he called “President Trump’s plan to bring the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to a successful and responsible conclusion and to bring our brave service members home,” TOLO news reported on Wednesday quoting media reports.

He said that President Donald Trump made the decision to draw down troops in both countries in consultation with his top national security officials and that it did not amount to a change in policy.

Miller said on Tuesday that he was announcing the implementation of Trump’s “orders to continue our repositioning of forces from those two countries,” according to media reports.

Speaking of the conflict in Afghanistan, Miller said that “with the blessings of providence in the coming year, we will finish this generational war and bring our men and women home.”

This comes as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday said that “the price for leaving too soon or in an uncoordinated way could be very high,” referring to recent reports on Trump administration’s plan to reduce its presence in Afghanistan.

The Defence Ministry on Monday said that the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces are capable to defend the country if there is a withdrawal of international forces from the country. But Afghan experts have said the withdrawal should be done responsibly.

Countries in the region, including Pakistan, Iran and Russia have also asked for a responsible withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.

The reports come as violence has significantly increased in the country despite peace efforts. Meanwhile, the peace negotiations in Doha have stalled over differences on ground rules for the talks.

Also read:Asian Lite Daily Digital – November 18, 2020 – NATO Warns Against Troop Withdrawal…

Previous Story

Putin Praises BRICS For Int’l Coordination

Next Story

UN Allocates $100 Mn To Curb ‘Hunger Epidemic’

Latest from Asia News

GAZA: Egypt to Host Peace Talks

Egypt hopes the discussions will help “end the war and the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people, which has continued for two consecutive years…reports Asian Lite News Egypt will host Israeli and

Japan Set for First Female PM

Takaichi, 64, defeated Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a closely contested runoff vote, succeeding Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as party leader….reports Asian Lite News Former Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi has won

70 Killed in Gaza Strikes

Gaza City, which has been at the heart of Israel’s military campaign, saw the highest number of casualties….reports Asian Lite News At least 70 Palestinians, including seven children aged between two months

Pakistan Faces Backlash Over NGO, Media Attacks

Human rights groups criticised the Pakistani government for a “deeply irresponsible” smear campaign against media and NGOs….reports Asian Lite News Several human rights organisations and advocacy groups have criticised the Pakistani government

Afghanistan Offline: 72 Hours of Chaos

Afghanistan restores internet after three-day blackout; humanitarian aid, trade, and banking resume slowly, while UN warns repeated disruptions threaten recovery and livelihoods for millions of citizens. Internet and telecom services were partially
Go toTop