The US led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) military combat operations were formally ended in Afghanistan during a ceremony on Sunday.
"These past 13 years have tested out nation and our military. But compared to the nearly 180,000 American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan when I took office, we now have fewer than 15,000 in those countries. Some 90% of our troops are home," said Barack Obama in a statement.
Speaking at the ceremony, the commander ISAF, John F Campbell, said, "Our Afghan partners can and will take the fight from here."
A reduced number of US and ISAF troops are expected to remain on the ground to perform other roles such as assistance on counter-terrorism and logistics.
The Afghan national security advisor who signed security agreements between ISAF and the Afghan government, said,
"The Afghan people pray for your fallen, wounded and their loved ones. We will never forget your sons and daughters who have died on our soil. They are now our sons and daughters."
“The threat to our shared national security interests and our shared civilisation is morphing. New non-state actors have emerged in the region in the past couple of years to pursue a deadly campaign against innocent people and the state system,” added Hanif Atmar.
"These past 13 years have tested out nation and our military. But compared to the nearly 180,000 American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan when I took office, we now have fewer than 15,000 in those countries. Some 90% of our troops are home," said Barack Obama in a statement.
Speaking at the ceremony, the commander ISAF, John F Campbell, said, "Our Afghan partners can and will take the fight from here."
A reduced number of US and ISAF troops are expected to remain on the ground to perform other roles such as assistance on counter-terrorism and logistics.
The Afghan national security advisor who signed security agreements between ISAF and the Afghan government, said,
"The Afghan people pray for your fallen, wounded and their loved ones. We will never forget your sons and daughters who have died on our soil. They are now our sons and daughters."
“The threat to our shared national security interests and our shared civilisation is morphing. New non-state actors have emerged in the region in the past couple of years to pursue a deadly campaign against innocent people and the state system,” added Hanif Atmar.