Australia ends 20-year presence in Afghanistan as ally US pulls out forces

By end of August, Australia would have withdrawn its supporting soldiers from Afghanistan due to competition from US operation, bringing an end to its 20-year presence in war-torn country.

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton said that Australia's last supporting forces have been brought back to country. Dutton has emphasised that ir military objective would be completed in conjunction with US and that y will participate in any ditional campaign directed by US. 

Australia has sent 39,000 troops to Afghanistan in last two deces

Since 2001, Australian Defence Force has been tasked with "containing threat of international terrorism," initially through Operation Slipper and n through Operation Highro. Over last two deces, Australia has sent 39,000 troops to Afghanistan as part of US and NATO-led operations against Taliban and terrorist organisations.

Only 80 troops were recently commissioned to protect Kabul-based embassy and carry out diplomatic missions across country. Australia declared in April that it will withdraw all of its troops since US h agreed to stop its military commitment by September 11, a timeframe that has w been pushed back to August 31. 

Among 39 thousand soldiers that Australia h sent, 41 of whom were killed, and its aerial troops h left country in 2013. In sourn Helmand province, Australian personnel have been accused of war crimes. As incidences of suicide have increased among soldiers sent to Afghanistan, Australian servicemen who have returned home have asked ir government to conduct an investigation. In Australia, an investigation into possible war crimes is also underway.  military and police are also looking into allegations that elite Special Air Services personnel in Afghanistan committed several war crimes.

Or countries also withdrew ir soldiers

Earlier this year, numerous countries, including Germany and China, withdrew ir soldiers from Afghanistan. India withdrew some of its embassy personnel from Kandahar on Sunday. Given impending end of US army withdrawal from Afghanistan, Taliban have been conquering newer districts and areas at a breakneck pace, while Afghan government forces have fled from a number of locations.

(Inputs from ANI)