US to withdraw troops from Afghanistan in 14 months if Taliban conditions met
The United States and NATO would withdraw all troops in Afghanistan within 14 months if the Taliban upheld its commitments, according to a joint statement released by the US and Afghan governments on Saturday.
"The Coalition will complete the withdrawal of their remaining forces from Afghanistan within 14 months following the announcement of this joint declaration and the US-Taliban agreement...subject to the Taliban's fulfillment of its commitments under the US-Taliban agreement," the statement said.
The US would initially reduce its forces in Afghanistan to 8,600 within 135 days of the US-Taliban agreement, which was set to be signed in the Qatari capital of Doha in the afternoon.
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Taliban orders its fighters to refrain from attack
The Taliban ordered all its fighters in Afghanistan "to refrain from any kind of attack ... for the happiness of the nation" hours before the deal.
"The biggest thing is that we hope the US remain committed to their promises during the negotiation and peace deal," said Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the hardline Islamist group.
Mujahid said it was "irritating and provocative" that foreign military aircraft continued to fly over Taliban territory, but militia fighters were following the order to stand-down.
