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Wallace said Britain was likely to follow the US in reducing troop levels in Afghanistan. But, he said, London would continue to work with Kabul and Washington to protect Afghanistan’s security. (Also read: Russia doubts the US plan to accelerate withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan)
“I hope that if they (the US) reduce (troops) at some stage, we will follow suit,” Wallace said in a statement, as reported by Reuters on Thursday (19/11/2020).
As is known, the Pentagon announced, they will continue Donald Trump’s order to reduce troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, leaving 2,500 troops in each country on January 15. While the cuts will see about 500 troops leave Iraq, about 2,000 US troops will return from Afghanistan.
However, the Pentagon did not announce the withdrawal of all troops by Christmas as Trump disclosed. US Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller, who Trump appointed last week, confirmed the troop withdrawal. “By January 15, 2021, our troops, their numbers in Afghanistan, will be 2,500 soldiers. The number of our troops in Iraq will also be 2,500 by the same date, “said Miller. (Also read: NATO: US Withdrawals, Afghanistan Will Become a Terrorist Nest)
“This is consistent with our established plans and strategic goals, supported by the American people, and is not the same as a change in US policies or objectives,” he said.
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