NATO says pullout from Afghanistan has begun

KABUL (Pajhwok): NATO has begun pulling out troops from Afghanistan, says an official of the western military alliance.

AFP quoted the official as saying NATO allies had decided in mid-April to start withdrawing Resolute Support Mission forces by May 1.

The process had been set in motion, said the source, who promised the pullout would be orderly, coordinated and deliberate.

Following President Joe Biden’s announcement to end the longest US war, NATO also decided to end its mission in Afghanistan.

The official called troops’ security a top priority, saying all necessary measures were being taken to keep NATO personnel safe.

The official said: “Any Taliban attacks during the withdrawal will be met with a forceful response. We plan to have our withdrawal completed within a few months.”

The situation in Afghanistan, the release of Taliban prisoners and the removal of their leaders’ names from the blacklist also came up for discussion, Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem said.

PAN Monitor/mud

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