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US aims to withdraw all forces ‘within 14 months’: US-Afghan declaration
KABUL, Feb 29, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The United States and its allies will
withdraw all their forces from Afghanistan within 14 months if the Taliban
abide by an agreement due to be signed in Doha on Saturday, Washington and
Kabul said in a joint statement.
After an initial reduction of troops to 8,600 within 135 days of Saturday’s
signing, the US and its partners “will complete the withdrawal of their
remaining forces from Afghanistan within 14 months… and will withdraw all
their forces from remaining bases”, the declaration stated.
The Doha accord would see thousands of American troops quit Afghanistan in
a phased plan after more than 18 years in return for various security
commitments from the insurgents and a pledge to hold talks with the
government in Kabul.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1833 hrs