All US and NATO troops have left Afghanistan’s biggest air base, officials, yesterday revealed, but President Joe Biden dampened speculation that the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from the country was imminent after two decades of war.
‘No. We’re on, we’re on track exactly as to where we expect to be,‘ he told reporters at the White House, after the news that US troops had left Bagram Air Base fuelled rumours that the final contingents were due to leave the country within days.
Biden has set a deadline of September 11 for the final pullout of remaining troops.
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Bagram served as the linchpin for US-led operations in the rugged country, where the long war against the Taliban and their Al-Qaeda allies started in 2001 following the September 11 attacks.
‘The American and coalition forces have completely withdrawn from the base and henceforth the Afghan army forces will protect it and use it to combat terrorism,’ defence ministry spokesman Fawad Aman tweeted.
A US defence official confirmed their departure, while the Taliban said it welcomed the latest phase of the pullout.
‘Their full withdrawal will pave the way for Afghans to decide about their future between themselves,’ spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.
One Afghan official said some local thugs and drug addicts attempted to loot equipment at the base, but were stopped by Afghan troops.
‘There will be no lootings as long as we are here… we will defend and protect our country,‘ said Alifullah, an Afghan soldier guarding one of the base’s gates.
The US military and NATO are in the final stages of winding up involvement in Afghanistan, bringing home an unspecified number of remaining troops by Biden’s deadline.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
