US, NATO begin withdrawing from Afghanistan

According to CNN, fewer than 100 troops, along with military equipment, have moved mainly through planes. NATO has also begun withdrawing its mission from Afghanistan, the agency told AFP a NATO official.

This will be a regular, co-ordinated and deliberate process”, he said.

Members of the US-backed coalition agreed this month to complete their mission with 9,600 people in Afghanistan, as US President Joe Biden called for an end to Washington's longest war.

Senior Afghan officials say the Taliban are using force in an effort to gain territory until foreign troops are withdrawing. The Taliban have held a two- decade uprising since they were ousted from power by US-led troops in 2001.

Former US President Donald Trump's administration had reached an agreement with the Taliban on attracting foreign troops in exchange for guarantees that it would not allow Afghanistan to become the home of terrorist groups, as well as accept peace negotiations with the Afghan government.

Official NATO said the security of the coalition's “troops would be a top priority in any step of the” road and that they are taking all necessary measures to secure personnel.

Any Taliban attack during the withdrawal will have a powerful response. We plan for our withdrawal to be completed within several months”, the official said.

US President Joe Biden has said that full troop withdrawal will occur by 11 September -- the 20th anniversary of the 11 September US terrorist attacks that sparked its military involvement in Afghanistan.

Germany's Defence Ministry has said it plans to remove its 1,300 soldiers by early July.