AFGHANISTAN
U.S. days from completing formal Afghan withdrawal
June 30, 2021 - The U.S. military could complete its withdrawal from Afghanistan within days, well ahead of the Sep 11 deadline set by President Joe Biden to end America's longest war.
The withdrawal of troops and equipment from Afghanistan would not include forces that will remain to protect diplomats at the U.S. embassy and potentially assist securing Kabul airport, Reuters said.
Meanwhile, a top US commander in Afghanistan warned that the country risked sliding into civil war as the last U.S. troops leave.
Gen. Austin S. Miller said the rapid loss of districts around the country to the Taliban – several with significant strategic value – is worrisome. He also cautioned that the militias deployed to help the beleaguered national security forces could lead the country into civil war.