Austin, Afghan leaders talk winding down of NATO mission

KABUL (Pajhwok): US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J Austin hosted President Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah at the Pentagon on Friday.

During the meeting, the Pentagon said, Austin reaffirmed the Biden administration’s commitment to an enduring US-Afghan defence relationship.

The secretary stressed the Pentagon had deeply invested in the security and stability of Afghanistan and reiterated US support for the continued competency of the Afghanistan National Defence and Security forces.

They discussed the winding down of the Resolute Support Mission and with it the transition to a new relationship with Afghanistan and the Afghan forces.

Both sides reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that Afghanistan never again served as safe haven for terrorists threatening the Afghan people, the US or their allies.

“Austin and Ghani each acknowledged the shared sacrifices of both the US and Afghan forces, and the impact these sacrifices have had on our two nations and the families of the fallen.”

sa/mud