In a massive move towards ending America's longest war despite mounting fears of a Taliban victory, US President Joe Biden has decided to withdraw the remaining US troops from Afghanistan before the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
According to Reuters report, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are likely to brief the decision NATO allies in Brussels on Wednesday. Sources claimed that Biden may also publicly announce his decision.
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The decision came as Turkey announced an international peace conference on Afghanistan in hopes of reaching an agreement that brings stability to a nation battered by nearly 40 years of war.
News agency AFP quoted a senior official saying, "Biden will order a complete withdrawal other than limited US personnel to guard the US installations including the imposing embassy in Kabul. The president has judged that a conditions-based approach, which has been the approach of the past two decades, is a recipe for staying in Afghanistan forever."
It can be recalled that the Taliban in a statement last month threatened to resume hostilities against foreign troops in Afghanistan if they did not meet the May 1 deadline. However, once the decision is confirmed, Biden would miss a May 1 deadline for withdrawal agreed with Taliban insurgents by his predecessor Donald Trump’s administration.
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