US troops withdrawn from 5 bases in Afghanistan, Pentagon says

WASHINGTON - The United States has withdrawn its troops from five bases in Afghanistan and maintains its force level in the country at mid-8,000s, fulfilling its obligation under the US-Taliban deal signed in late February, the US Department of Defense said Tuesday.

"US forces in Afghanistan remain in the mid-8,000s and five bases formerly occupied by US forces have been transferred to our Afghan partners," Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement.

Hoffman urged all sides to "reduce violence and embark on intra-Afghan negotiations capable of achieving a negotiated and lasting peace for Afghanistan."

According to the agreement signed on Feb 29 between the United States and the Afghan Taliban, the United States would reduce its forces in Afghanistan to 8,600 within 135 days till July 13.

Last month, Commander of US Central Command Kenneth McKenzie indicated at an event that the United States had met its obligation ahead of schedule. "We agreed to go to the mid-8,000 range within 135 days," McKenzie said, adding "we're at that number now."

The agreement also called for a full withdrawal of the US military forces from Afghanistan by May 2021 if the Taliban meets the conditions of the deal, including severing ties with terrorist groups.

The war in Afghanistan, which has caused about 2,400 US military deaths, is the longest one in US history. President Donald Trump has long complained about its endlessness and sought a full withdrawal from Afghanistan.