Germany maintained a contingent of around 1,100 troops before starting the drawdown in May….reports Asian Lite News
The last of the remaining German troops have left Afghanistan after nearly 20 years of deployment in the war-torn country, Defence Minister said Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.
The German Defence Minister said in a tweet that the last Bundeswehr soldiers “left Afghanistan safely” on Tuesday evening, reports TOLO News.
She thanked the more than 150,000 troops who have served there since 2001 and said that “they can be proud of this mission”.
Germany maintained a contingent of around 1,100 troops before starting the drawdown in May.
The country deployed its forces in the wake of the deadly 9/11 attacks in 2001, according to a DW News report.
The first troops arrived in Kabul in January 2002.
Over 150,000 German soldiers have been stationed in Afghanistan since, the report added.
Since US President Joe Biden announcement of the pullout of troops on May 1, the American military has completed more than half of the withdrawal.
Italy hands over Herat’s camp
As Italy has completed its troop exit from Afghanistan, the control of the Herat’s airport and the military camp was handed over to Afghan forces.
Herat was under the control of the Italian military for the last 20 years.
On July 1, Italian forces pulled out their military equipment as well as destroyed some of them, TOLO News reported citing Afghan military officials. They also destroyed a large number of armoured vehicles and heavy weapons while evacuating the camps.
Major General Sayed Emal Pacha, the commander of an Afghan air force division, said “In terms of military equipment, nothing was left for us from the Italians”.
Meanwhile, Herat Governor Abdul Saboor Qane said, “We pledge that our security and defence forces across Afghanistan are ready to defend our country and the people in the western zone and in Herat.”
Commenting on the situation, Abdul Shaheer Salehi, the director of Herat airport, informed that all aviation services are being carried out by the professional cadres of Khawja Abdullah Ansari airport. “There have been no problems at all at the airport following the withdrawal of foreign forces and flights are being carried out normally and regularly,” he said.
Meanwhile, Germany also completed the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan.
Germany’s decision came nearly after 20 years of mission in the country. A contingent of around 570 soldiers was called back from Afghanistan.
Both Germany and Italy de-escalated their militaries from the region to mark their non-engagement in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s ‘Resolute Support’ mission.
Their decision to pull out the troops came in April following the US plans to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan by September 11. (IANS/ANI)
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