U.S. will reduce troop levels in Afghanistan and Iraq to 2,500 by mid-January, the Pentagon announced.
“By Jan. 15, 2021, our forces, their size in Afghanistan will be 2,500, and our force size in Iraq will also be 2,500 by that same date,” acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller in his first public appearance since taking the job on November 9 after Trump fired former Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
There are currently around 4,500 U.S. service members in Afghanistan and 3,000 in Iraq.
Miller said the withdrawal of troops “is consistent with our established plans and strategic objectives supported by the American people and does not equate to a change in U.S. policy or objectives.” The decision is in like with President Donald Trump’s promise to get U.S. forces home from the “forever wars.”
More than 6,900 Americans have been killed in these wars and more than 52,000 have been wounded.
The Defense Department will cut the number of troops in Afghanistan and Iraq nearly 15 days before Trump is set to leave office.
