” It is time” for all U.S. service members to leave Afghanistan, says Trump. According to the US-Taliban deal, any withdrawal below 8,600 troops would be based on conditions.
Trump said this based on the deal that was signed in February after the Taliban attacks on Afghan Government forces faced a difficulty. There is an agreement between the militant group and Afghan Government on a 10-day truce to bring down violence and release hundred prisoners.
On Wednesday, Trump tweeted saying, “We are acting as a police force, not the fighting force that we are, in Afghanistan, after 19 years, it is time for them to police their own Country. Bring our soldiers back home but closely watch what is going on and strike with a thunder like never before, if necessary!”
This peace deal between the U.S. and the Taliban led to a reduction in the number of American forces from about 13,000 to 8,600 by mid-July. In this conflict that’s lasted for two decades, there have been approximately 100,000 troops in the country.
According to ABC news, an official from U.S. told them that there are 8,600 to 10,000 troops from the US. Butthe president mentioned to the reporters thatthey were down to 7000 odd soldiers.
According to a second official, the U.S. draw down is “well ahead of schedule” and “close to reaching” that 8,600 number.
In a span of 14 months, if the Taliban also stand to their commitment, then U.S. is set to withdraw all forces. As a part of this agreement they decided to sit with an Afghan national delegation for peace negotiations and to break ties with terror groups like al-Qaida.
On Tuesday, during a briefing, Jonathan Hoffman, a Chief Pentagon spokesperson said, “Any reductions under (8,600) will be conditions-based, after the U.S. government assesses the security environment and the Taliban’s compliance with the agreement, and in coordination with our NATO allies and partners.”
However, now there is a concern that Trump pledged to “end America’s endless wars” in Afghanistan and Iraq, might lead to a quicker withdrawal or disrespect one of those conditions made.
The senior military officers were preparing a New York Times report to let Trump know about options for pulling troops out of Afghanistan, these included an option for a full withdrawal before the U.S. presidential election in November even though the officials would not advocate for that option, the Times said.
When Trump was asked about a November target date for a withdrawal, he said, “No, I have no target but as soon as reasonable.”
Earlier there was a disturbance and disagreement between the Taliban against Afghan forces. However, in the last couple of weeks things have changed after the Talban and Afghan government had face-to-face peace talks of their own.
During the Eid holiday, over the weekend, the Taliban announced a three-day cease fire and the Afghan Government was in agreement to release 2,000 Taliban fighters who are in custody.
Further, the Afghan Government leadership even committed to power-sharing agreement.
As of now, Hoffman says that these steps are “promising” but didn’t say anything on whether the current conditions would bring about a change in the US troops or not.
Mike Pompeo, the Secretary of State, and the Senior Administration officials, have been calling for a reduction in violence.
According to the data provided by the Defense Department, serving in Afghanistan this year, around Eight American service members died and 11 have been wounded.
