US marks formal end to Afghanistan War

The longest war in U.S. history ended Sunday with a formal ceremony in Afghanistan.

While as many as 10,800 U.S. troops will remain in the country in a supporting role, the U.S. combat mission in the country is over after 13 years.

“The road before us remains challenging, but we will triumph,” Gen. John Campbell, commander of the International Security Assistance Force, said Sunday as he rolled up the flag for the old mission and unfurled one for the new mission, called Resolute Support, The Associated Press reports.

U.S. troops will remain in the country under the Bilateral Security Agreement signed by new Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani. Former President Hamid Karzai had presented problems for the U.S. by refusing to sign the agreement. 

{mosads}Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced earlier this month that the number of U.S. troops was increasing from the previous plan for about 9,800. He attributed the move to less of a contribution from U.S. allies, not to the fierce Taliban attacks that continue in the country.

The formal ceremony did not receive much fanfare from U.S. officials. But Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of NATO, which is contributing a handful of troops to the new force, praised the transfer in a statement. 

“Thanks to the remarkable effort of our forces, we have achieved what we set out to do,” he said. “We have made our own nations safer, by denying safe haven to international terrorists. We have made Afghanistan stronger, by building up from scratch strong security forces. Together, we have created the conditions for a better future for millions of Afghan men, women and children.”

He said Afghanistan’s security will be fully in the hands of its 350,000 troops and police. But he noted that U.S. and NATO forces will train and assist them. 

“Many challenges remain, and there is much work still to do,” he said. “The Afghan security forces will continue to need our help as they develop.”