Germany plans complete troop pullout by July 4

KABUL (Pajhwok): The German military, in consultation with NATO allies, plans to pull out all its troops from Afghanistan by as July 4, says a media report.

German lawmakers were informed by the Defence Ministry on Wednesday the July 4 withdrawal was earlier than previously planned.

The German military is said to be discussing with NATO partners the pullout of 1,100 troops from the war-devastated country.

DPA quoted a Defence Ministry spokesman as saying that the countries involved were looking at the challenges and consequences of withdrawing troops.

With July 4 being considered as the final pullout date, a final decision would be taken by the Western military alliance, the spokesman explained.

Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer had previously set mid-August as the withdrawal deadline.

PAN Monitor/mud