Skip to main content

Nato lowers flag to mark mission’s ‘end’

But 13,000 stay in fraught country

THE US and Nato ceremonially ended their combat mission in Afghanistan yesterday.

Almost 13 years after the September 11 2001 attacks sparked the US-led Nato invasion of the country to topple the Taliban-led government, Nato International Security Assistance Force Joint Command lowered its flag yesterday, formally ending its deployment.

Nato commander US General John Campbell claimed that the mission was now turning over to a training and support role.

He said the coalition would maintain a force of 13,000 troops in Afghanistan, down from a peak around 140,000 in 2011.

There are around 15,000 troops now in the country.

US President Barack Obama recently allowed US forces to launch operations against both Taliban and al-Qaida fighters, broadening the mission of the US forces that will remain in the country.

Violence continued yesterday as suicide bombers launched an assault on a police station in southern Kandahar.

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 9,899
We need:£ 8,101
12 Days remaining
Donate today