US, NATO announce troop withdrawal; Ghani says respect decision

The statement came hours before the US president made an official announcement on withdrawing its troops from the country. NATO also announced withdrawing troops along with the US.

Ghani took to Twitter and said, “We discussed the US decision to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan by early September. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan respects the US decision and we will work with our US partners to ensure a smooth transition.”

“As we move into the next phase in our partnership, we will continue to work with our US/NATO partners in the ongoing peace efforts," he added.

Ghani also said that the country’s “proud security and defense forces” are “fully capable” of defending the nation.

In a statement, released after concluding its ministerial meeting, NATO said, “there is no military solution to the challenges Afghanistan faces,” adding they will also start withdrawing forces by 1 May in an “orderly, coordinated, and deliberate” manner.

NATO said the move will open a new chapter in its relationship with the country. “Withdrawing our troops does not mean ending our relationship with Afganistan. Rather, this will be the start of a new chapter.”

The US government has assured continue to fund the Afghan forces. Experts, however, warned it would precipitate in the future. The Taliban, who had been expecting all foreign troops to withdrawal by 1 May, has made it clear that the group would not participate in any peace conference as long as foreign troops remain in the country.