Pentagon confirms troops drawdown plan in Afghanistan, Iraq - Global Times

The Pentagon on Tuesday confirmed that US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq will be reduced to 2,500 level respectively by mid-January 2021.

"By January 15th, 2021, our force size in Afghanistan will be 2,500 troops, our force size in Iraq will also be 2,500 by that same date," said Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller at a Pentagon press briefing.

Miller noted that the forces reposition plan, ordered by President Donald Trump, "is consistent with our established plans and strategic objective."

Currently, there are approximately 4,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and 3,000 troops in Iraq to support Iraqi forces in battles against remnants of the Islamic State, mainly for training and advisory purposes.