Top US commander in Afghanistan hands over command

The top U_S_ commander in Afghanistan has relinquished his command at a ceremony in the capital of Kabul, taking the United States a step closer to ending a 20-year military presence that became known as its “forever war.”

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan relinquished his command at a ceremony in the capital of Kabul on Monday, taking the United States a step closer to ending a 20-year military presence that became known as its “forever war.” The move comes as Taliban insurgents continue to gain territory across the country. Gen. Scott Miller handed over command to Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the head of U.S. Central Command. McKenzie, also a four-star general, will operate from Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida. McKenzie assumes authority to conduct possible airstrikes in defense of Afghan government forces, at least until the U.S. withdrawal concludes by Aug. 31. Miller, who commanded U.S. troops in Afghanistan since 2018, is to leave the country later Monday. The handover took place at a time of rapid territorial gains by Taliban insurgents across Afghanistan, mainly rural areas in the north.