The U.S. military has started the process of completely withdrawing troops from local areas of Afghanistan, Gen. Austin Scott Miller, commander of U.S. forces in the southern Asia country, told reporters in Kabul Sunday.
"I now have a set of orders,” said Miller. “We will conduct an orderly withdrawal from Afghanistan, and that means transitioning bases and equipment to the Afghan security forces."
President Joe Biden earlier this month decided to withdraw all U.S. troops from the country by Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks that precipitated the war in Afghanistan. Administration officials believe it's possible all U.S. troops could be out of the country before then.
"The notification day will be the first of May but at the same time as we start taking local actions, we have already begun that," said Miller.
Nearly 2,500 U.S. forces are still stationed in Afghanistan in addition to hundreds of special operations forces. Last week the Department of Defense ordered long-range bombers and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier to help provide security as they withdraw.
Afghanistan now faces life without a U.S. and NATO military presence, all while the Taliban insurrection threat continues in the country despite illusions of peace.
Holding the line for now are the Afghan security forces. Taliban offensives in the south and repeated attacks in the north despite the cold weather have meant mounting casualties ahead of what could be a violent summer.
Though the Afghan military and police forces together are said to have around 300,000 personnel, the real number is suspected to be much lower, reports the New York Times.
“I often get asked how are the security forces? Can the security forces do the work in our absence?” Miller said. “And my message has always been the same: They must be ready.”
Miller also said that the U.S. bases in Afghanistan will be given "primarily" to the Ministry of Defense and other Afghan forces, as well as some American equipment.
"There's certain equipment that we must take back to our countries, that's a requirement," he said. "But wherever possible, if we do not have to, we are looking to ensure that the Afghan security forces have the bases, pieces of equipment, parts that are necessary for the functioning of the military," he said.
There is concern the drawdown of American troops from Afghanistan could cause the government in Kabul to collapse, enabling the Taliban to return to power.
Asked about the concern, Miller said, "We will have a forceful response if our forces are attacked," and that the U.S. "would continue to monitor terrorism and would act when "appropriate."
Miller said he has spoken with the Taliban Political Commission and that he told them "a return to violence, an effort to force a military decision, would be a tragedy for Afghanistan and the Afghan people."
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