Donald Trump says troop withdrawal begins 'today' after US-Taliban peace deal

United States President Donald Trump said on February 29 that first withdrawals of American troops from Afghanistan are starting “immediately” after successful signing of peace deal with Taliban. At White House conference when Trump was asked when would drawdown begin under US-Taliban agreement, he reportedly told journalists, “Like Today, OK? Today. y'll start immediately”. 

US signed a landmark deal with Taliban on February 29 which laid out timetable for America's full troop withdrawal from Afghanistan within period of 14 months marking US' exit from its longest war. According to international reports, accord is expected to le way for a dialogue between Taliban and Afghanistan government, and if it turns successful, it would end an 18-year-long conflict. 

deal was signed in a conference room of luxury Doha hotel, with Taliban fighter-turned-dealmaker, Mullah Barar alongside Washington's chief negotiator Zalmay Khalilz and US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. Reportedly, as Barar and Khalilz finally inked accord, people in room shouted, “Allahu Akbar”. Before that Pompeo h also urged insurgents to “keep your promises to cut ties with Al-Qaeda”. 

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Embrace a new future: Trump

According to international reports, Trump also urged citizens of Afghanistan to embrace chance for a new future. He furr ded that if both Taliban and Kabul's government man to “live up to se commitments”, y will have a “powerful path" forward in order to end war in country and bring American troops “home”. However, Afghanistan which have been excluded from direct US-Taliban talks remains in an unclear position while also being gripped by a fresh political crisis and contested election results. 

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But, US Secretary of Defence, Mark T Esper also met with Afghanistan's re-elected President Ashraf Ghani and according to joint statement issued, y both discussed “progress in peace process” after successful implementation of reduction in violence. Furrmore, Washington has reaffirmed its commitment with partners at Afghanistan as conditions-based US-Taliban agreement is implemented. According to official website, Esper and Ghani agreed that US-Taliban peace deal marks start of achieving a “lasting peace for Afghan people, and security and stability in Afghanistan”. 

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(With ncy inputs)