US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan has begun, officials tell CNN
CNN
The US military withdrawal from Afghanistan is now formally underway, according to several US defense officials. Fewer than 100 troops, along with military equipment, have been moved largely by aircraft to execute President Joe Biden's order to begin the withdrawal process no later than May 1.
In addition, contractors and US government workers are also departing the country, the officials said. The Pentagon has said it is concerned about personnel coming under attack from the Taliban as they depart so it's not clear if it will disclose all the details of the departure process, which is due to be completed by September 11. There have been about 2,500 US troops in Afghanistan that are openly acknowledged, plus several hundred additional special operations forces that are not acknowledged. All of them will depart under the President's orders.
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