After 13 long and difficult years of military occupation, the United States finally withdrew its force in Afghanistan. The United States along with its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) started the occupation just days after the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.
President Obama said on an official statement that the combat missions accomplished in Afghanistan was a "milestone" adding his sincere gratitude for the "extraordinary sacrifice" made by the American troops and its allies, highlighting those 2,200 soldier who have perished in the war against terror.
General John Campbell, the commander of the United States led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), took down and replaced green and white ISAF flag with a new flag for an international mission called Resolute Support. On a ceremony attended by various international military officials and officers along with foreign diplomats and international journalist, Campbell extended that the new mission will serve as the foundation for an "enduring partnership" between the NATO and Afghanistan.
The International Security Assistance Force or ISAF is an umbrella coalition composed of more than 50 countries that helped the U.S. led invasion of Afghanistan to help the country get rid of Taliban militants. ISAF's main responsibility is providing security for both military, government and civilians elements across Afghanistan.
The withdrawal of US forces in Afghanistan does not mean US forces will completely leave the country. As the US forces depart ISAF will be transitioning a support role of around 13,500 soldier, 11,000 of it are American. The transition will be effective Jan. 1.
According to Associated Press statistics, 2,224 American soldiers perished during the 13 years of American war on terror, this is out of around 3,500 foreign soldiers who died in the war. President Obama have recently said that US forces will still stay in Afghanistan in order to help the country in their counter-terrorism operations.
