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Agence France-Presse

The Trump administration will announce as early as this week plans to withdraw around 4,000 troops from Afghanistan, US media reported.
Talks between the United States and the Taliban resumed a week ago as the parties sought a path to reduce violence or even reach a ceasefire.
They were paused by Washington on Thursday, however, after an attack by the militant group near a key US airbase north of Kabul that left two civilians dead and dozens injured.
Around 13,000 US troops are currently in Afghanistan, though the number fluctuates according to rotations.
NBC on Saturday cited three current and former US officials as saying the Trump administration intends to announce a drawdown of 4,000 troops from Afghanistan.

Two of those sources said some of the troops would be redeploying early, while others would not be replaced when they end their missions.
The number is in line with figures long floated by the White House.
President Donald Trump said last month that he planned to reduce the overall troop presence to 8,600, with further reductions possible.
Trump makes surprise Afghanistan visit, saying Taliban talks have resumed
CNN cited one unnamed official in the Trump administration as saying the announcement on a drawdown could happen this week, but that the “timing remains in flux”.
A US Forces-Afghanistan spokesman said no orders had been received to reduce troop numbers.
“We remain fully committed to … ensuring Afghanistan is never again used as a safe haven for terrorists who threaten the United States, our allies or our interests,” the spokesman told AFP.

According to a draft agreement from September – reached after lengthy negotiations – the Taliban would be required to commit to certain security measures, agree to talks with the Afghan government and promise a reduction of violence in exchange for a US troop withdrawal.
Trump insisted last month on the need for a ceasefire and made a surprise visit to Bagram airbase in Afghanistan to celebrate Thanksgiving with troops and meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
The Republican president has previously indicated he wants to wind down US military entanglements abroad where possible.
In September, he called off talks with the Taliban, angered over the death of a US soldier in a Kabul bombing.
On December 7, negotiations were relaunched in Doha, only to be paused again following last week’s Taliban attack near Bagram.
A State Department official told AFP on Sunday that US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who is leading the talks, was back in Doha, but it was not clear when discussions with the Taliban might resume.


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Afghanistan

US poised to announce 4,000-troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in days, media claims

A US Marine watches Afghan Commandos take part in a combat training exercise at Shorab Military Camp in Lashkar Gah in Helmand province. Photo: AFP

(FILES) In this file photo taken on November 28, 2019 US President Donald Trump speaks to the troops during a surprise Thanksgiving day visit at Bagram Air Field,in Afghanistan. - The Trump administration will announce as early as this week plans to withdraw around 4,000 troops from Afghanistan, US media reported. Talks between the United States and the Taliban resumed a week ago as the parties sought a path to reduce violence or even reach a ceasefire. They were paused by Washington on December 12, 2019, however, after an attack by the militant group near a key US air base north of Kabul that left two civilians dead and dozens injured.There are 13,000 US troops currently in Afghanistan. NBC on December 14, 2019 cited three current and former US officials as saying the Trump administration intends to announce the drawdown of 4,000 troops from Afghanistan (Photo by Olivier Douliery / AFP)

The flag-draped casket of CW2 Kirk T. Fuchigami Jr. arrives at Brigham City Cemetery during graveside services Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Brigham City, Utah. United States Army pilot Fuchigami and his co-pilot died when their helicopter crashed Nov. 20 as they provided security for troops on the ground in eastern Logar Province outside of Kabul. Afghanistan. (Steve Griffin/The Deseret News via AP)

Donald Trump makes surprise trip to Afghanistan on Thanksgiving, saying Taliban peace talks have resumed

US President Donald Trump holds up a tray of Thanksgiving dinner during a surprise visit to the troops at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan on Thursday. Photo: AP

US Soldiers react with cheers and applause as US President Donald Trump arrives in Bagram Air Field during a surprise Thanksgiving day visit, on November 28, 2019 in Afghanistan. (Photo by Olivier Douliery / AFP)

President Donald Trump shakes hands during a meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani during a surprise Thanksgiving Day visit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019, at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Pentagon denies ‘14,000 more troops plan’ for Middle East as Europeans rap Iran for working on nuclear-capable missiles

The Pentagon on Wednesday denied a report that the United States was weighing sending up to 14,000 more troops to the Middle East in the face of a perceived threat from Iran. File photo: AFP

epa07870807 Iranians walk past as a Shahab-3 surface-to-surface missile is on display in a street exhibition by Iran's army and paramilitary Revolutionary Guard celebrating 'Defence Week' marking the 39th anniversary of the start of 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, at the Baharestan Squer in Tehran, Iran, 26 September 2019. Media reported as tension between Iran and US going on, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said in his speech at the 74th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York that Iran will not negotiate with US under pressure and sanctions. EPA-EFE/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH

(FILES) In this file photo taken on November 19, 2019 (L-R) the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (L), the air-defense destroyer HMS Defender and the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut transit the Strait of Hormuz. - The United States is weighing sending up to 14,000 more troops to the Middle East in the face of a perceived threat from Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported December 4, 2019. (Photo by Zachary PEARSON / US NAVY / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / US Navy / Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zachary Pearson" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

(FILES) In this file photo taken on April 30, 2019, Iranian military personnel ride in a patrol boat as they take part in the "National Persian Gulf day" in the Strait of Hormuz. - Iran on September 16 seized a boat suspected of being used to smuggle fuel, and arrested its 11 crew members near the vital Strait of Hormuz oil shipping lane, state television reported. A naval patrol of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intercepted the vessel carrying 250,000 litres of fuel, state TV's website said, citing a commander of the force. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)

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Announcement set to come amid ongoing talks between the United States and the Taliban



Announcement set to come amid ongoing talks between the United States and the Taliban.


US poised to announce 4,000-troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in days, media claims

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Announcement set to come amid ongoing talks between the United States and the Taliban

Announcement set to come amid ongoing talks between the United States and the Taliban