'Time to end the forever war': US, allied troops to leave Afghanistan by Sept. 11

(file photo) US soldiers stand in Maidan Shar, south of Kabul

* Biden says US objectives had become 'increasingly unclear' * US troop levels reached 100,000 in 2011; 2,500 there now * Troops under NATO command to withdraw at same President Joe Biden said on Wednesday US troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan starting May 1 to end America's longest war, rejecting calls for them to stay to ensure a peaceful resolution to that nation's grinding internal conflict. Foreign troops under NATO command will also withdraw from Afghanistan in coordination with the US pull-out, NATO allies agreed. The withdrawal of foreign troops will be completed by Sept 11. Around 7,000 non-US forces from mainly NATO countries, also from Australia, New Zealand and Georgia, outnumber the 2,500 US troops in Afghanistan, but they still rely on American air support, planning and leadership.