US, NATO Troops Leaving Afghanistan as Fighting Escalates

WASHINGTON - Troops and equipment are leaving Afghanistan, days ahead of the official start of the U.S. withdrawal, the White House said Thursday, marking the beginning of the end of America’s longest war. All for one and one for all. ⚔️ The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group - guided-missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner and USS Laboon, and aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower - sails in the Arabian Sea supporting naval ops for maritime security in the 5th Fleet. pic.twitter.com/XSbTDvErZM US #Afghanistan withdrawal - "I now have a set of orders" the commander of @ResoluteSupport, Gen Austin "Scott" Miller, to reporters in #Kabul Sunday"We've already begun..." In the meantime, #Afghan officials indicate heavy fighting between gvt forces & the #Talibanvia @VOADariAfghan, Afghan Defense Ministry spox Fawad Aman has said security forces killed 118 #Taliban today (Thursday) & 135 on Tuesday

“A drawdown is under way,” White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One, as President Joe Biden headed to Georgia Thursday for a rally. “It will be deliberate and conducted in a safe and responsible manner that ensures the protection of our forces,” she said. “Potential adversaries, should they attack us, our withdrawal, we will defend ourselves, our partners, with all the tools at our disposal.” Also Thursday, a NATO official confirmed to VOA that some of the 7,000 troops sent to Afghanistan as part of the multinational Operation Resolute Support had also left the country.