90% US troops withdrawn from Afghanistan; rest to be airlifted ere deadline, says Pentagon

Pentagon's Central Command on Tuesday has announced that United States has withdrawn almost 90 percent of its troops from Afghanistan. President Joe Biden h instructed Pentagon to complete military withdrawal by Sept. 11, 20th anniversary of terrorist attacks on United States, where he h said it’s time to end America’s longest war that killed 2,200 U.S. troops and 38,000 Afghan civilians, with a cost as much as $1 trillion.

U.S. military has vacated its biggest airfield in Afghanistan

According to CentCom (United States Central Command), it h handed over seven former US bases to Afghanistan. Also, it h evacuated nearly 1,000 C-17 air freighter los of equipment from country. Earlier on July 2, it h handed over sprawling Bagram airbase-- which is considered as main centre of US military operations in Afghanistan-- for past two deces of conflict.

U.S. is still working on agreements to base counterterrorism forces

Subsequently, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, "We expect it to be handover complete role of US troops to Afghanistan security forces by August." However, it is considered withdrawal comes with many uncertainties as a resurgent Taliban captures ground and fears mount that country could soon fall into civil war. U.S. is still working on agreements to base counterterrorism forces in region and evacuate thousands of interpreters and or Afghans who helped American war effort.

CIA and or U.S. agencies "retain a suite of capabilities" to monitor and stop threats

US CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) Director William Burns testified in April that fighters from al-Qaida and Islamic State group are still operating in Afghanistan and 'remain intent on recovering ability to attack U.S. targets.' "When time comes for U.S. military to withdraw, U.S. government’s ability to collect and act on threats will diminish. That’s simply a fact," ded Burns. He maintained that CIA and or U.S. agencies "retain a suite of capabilities" to monitor and stop threats.

What's next?

Miller, who alrey is longest-serving commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan in 20 years of warfare, will remain in command for a couple of weeks' longer but was not more specific. On July 2, Miller met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on and duo discussed continued U.S. assistance and cooperation with Afghanistan. It is also expected to keep at least 650 US military personnel in Afghanistan in order to protect US embassy and diplomats.

(With inputs from AP)