US starts pulling out its forces from Afghanistan

Deal envisages Washington cutting its troop presence to 8,600 over 135 days

KABUL, Afghanistan－The United States has begun withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan, the coalition forces confirmed on Tuesday.

"In accordance with the US-Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Joint Declaration and the US-Taliban Agreement, US Forces Afghanistan, also known as the USFOR-A, has begun its conditions-based reduction of forces to 8,600 over 135 days," the US forces said in a statement.

The US-Taliban deal was signed in Gulf state of Qatar on Feb 29, and Kabul and Washington issued a joint declaration the same day.

Under the agreements, the US would reduce its forces in Afghanistan and all the US-led coalition forces would return home from Afghanistan within 14 months depending on the Taliban meeting the conditions envisaged in the agreement, including severing ties with terrorist groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaida.

"USFOR-A maintains all the military means and authorities to accomplish our objectives, including conducting counterterrorism operations against al-Qaida and ISIS-K and providing support to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, the statement said. USFOR-A is on track to meet directed force levels while retaining the necessary capabilities."

The first batch of US forces has reportedly pulled out from a base in southern Helmand province.

Since Jan 1, 2015, Afghan security forces have assumed full security charge from NATO and US forces.

About 16,000 foreign troops, including about 13,000 US forces, were in Afghanistan to train and assist local security forces in their fight against the insurgents.

The withdrawal is seen as the US taking a step forward on its peace deal with the Taliban while also praising Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's promise to start releasing Taliban prisoners after he had delayed it for more than a week.

The next step will be intra-Afghan talks in which all factions including the Taliban will work out a road map for their country's future.

Two inaugurations

Ghani and his main political rival, Abdullah Abdullah, were each sworn in as president in separate ceremonies on Monday. Abdallah and the elections complaints commission had alleged fraud in last year's vote.

The two inaugurations have thrown plans for talks with the Taliban into chaos, although Ghani said on Tuesday that he would start putting together a negotiating team.

The disarray on the Afghan government side is indicative of the uphill task facing Washington's peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad as he tries to get Afghanistan's bickering leadership to come together.

In a tweet, Khalilzad said he hoped the two leaders can "come to an agreement on an inclusive and broadly accepted government. We will continue to assist."

Separately, Ghani had been dragging his feet on releasing about 5,000 Taliban prisoners, something agreed to in the US-Taliban deal.

Ghani promised on Monday to announce a decree to free the prisoners. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement on Monday saying: "We also welcome President Ghani's announcement that he will issue a decree March 10 on the Taliban prisoner release."

He also warned against "any use of force to resolve political differences." Both candidates, but particularly Abdullah, are backed by warlords with heavily armed militias, underscoring fears they could use force to back their candidate.

Xinhua - Agencies