US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq withdrawn partially

On November 17, 2020, the US Government announced that the US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq will be reduced. The US forces in Afghanistan is to be reduced from 4,500 to 2,500 and in Iraq from 3,000 to 2,500.

NATO on withdrawal of troops

According to NATO, by withdrawing forces, the United States is putting Afghanistan at the risk of becoming a platform of international terrorism once again. This might lead to attack on US again (just like Twin tower attack).

NATO has 12,000 troops. These troops are from different nations. The alliance is highly dependent on the US armed forces for logistics and transport.

NATO took charge of international security effort in Afghanistan in 2003. This was after US-led coalition ousted Taliban for accommodating Osama bin Laden. From 2014, NATO led security forces began to train the Afghan security forces

US-Taliban Agreement

In February 2020, the representatives of Taliban (of Afghanistan) and the US signed an agreement. The US is currently withdrawing its forces based on this agreement. They agreed on the following

• All US and NATO troops to be withdrawn within 14 months of time
• Taliban assured that Afghanistan soil will not be used as a launchpad to threaten security of US.
• Taliban agreed to negotiate with Afghanistan and establish peace in the region
• A permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.

India in Afghanistan

The US has been long insisting India to deploy its armed forces in Afghanistan to contain terrorism in the country. However, India has not sent any of its defence forces to Afghanistan. On the other hand, India has been supporting Afghanistan in its developmental activities. India is the largest regional donor to Afghanistan. India has so far provided more than 3 billion USD of financial assistance to Afghanistan.

US forces in Iraq

The US forces invaded Iraq in 2003. They left in 2011 and again returned in 2014. The US led coalition invaded Iraq emphasizing the argument that Saddam Hussein was developing mass weapons of destruction. Operation Red Dawn was launched and Saddam was captured.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2020