On Tuesday, the White House announced that the US would complete the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan by 11 September, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. On Wednesday, German media reported that NATO forces would start to withdraw from the war-torn country after a similar decision was made by the US.

The United States will begin its final withdrawal from Afghanistan on 1 May, President Joe Biden has announced.

Speaking in Washington, DC on Wednesday, Biden said that the reasons for staying in Afghanistan had “become increasingly unclear,” and that the US had “accomplished” its objective in the country.

“US troops, as well as forces deployed by our NATO allies and operational partners will be out of AFghanistan before we mark the 20th anniversary of the heinous attack on September 11, but we will not take our eyes off the terrorist threat,” Biden said.