The Pentagon said the turnover of Bagram airbase to Afghan security forces was a "key milestone" in the withdrawal. Despite the rapid pace of the pullout, the US military currently still has the authority to protect Afghan forces. US President Joe Biden said the withdrawal was on track, but some American forces would still be in Afghanistan in September as part of a "rational drawdown with allies." Afghans can get closer to stability and peace with the full withdrawal of foreign forces," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. For the international forces, more than 3500 of whom were killed in Afghanistan, the exit came with no pageantry.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 02, 2021 18:22 UTC