France begins withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan

[Devil Soul]

France is set to pull out nearly 200 troops from Afghanistan in a few hours, kickstarting withdrawals announced three months ago by Paris.

Another 200 soldiers are due to return home before Christmas as part of Nato's plan to end combat mission by 2014.

France has some 4,000 troops in Afghanistan and 75 of its soldiers have died in the country since 2001.

Several countries, including, the US, the UK, Canada and Belgium, have also announced plans to withdraw troops.

Some US and Canadian troops have already headed home, handing over responsibilities for security to Afghan forces.

The US plans to withdraw 33,000 soldiers by the end of 2012.

Most French soldiers are deployed in the district of Surobi and in the neighbouring province of Kapisa.

"We are carrying out a proportional withdrawal," French Defence Minister Gerard Longuet told France Inter radio ahead of Wednesday's withdrawal.

"The zones that we are in charge of will be handed over to the Afghan army."

President Sarkozy announced plans to withdraw French troops during his visit to Afghanistan in July.
BBC News - France begins withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan

 

[khanz4996]

here goes and the shockwaves whould be felt in dehli

 

[jamal18]

One at a time... soon it will be a stampede.

Will the last Nato soldier to leave Afghanistan please turn the lights off....

 

[JayAtl]

One at a time... soon it will be a stampede.

Will the last Nato soldier to leave Afghanistan please turn the lights off....

I often shake my head when I read people saying " Watch US will leave and then watch what happens" - followed by open proclomation of supporting taliban terrorist take over or India's dream in AF being crushed etc etc.

What people don't seem to get is that the US will never leave Afghanistan. Not for a couple of decades. It's troops will" draw down" but presence will be there for a long time.

WHY?????????
Because it is sitting in China's backyard! ALA prime time real estate for the US.

So - don't be so fast or naive to think that 2014 means no amerki in sight.

Extended US Military Presence in Afghanistan

The Daily Telegraph reports that the status of forces agreement that the United States and Afghanistan are negotiating may allow a U.S. military presence in the country until 2024 . That’s a full 10 years beyond the deadline for withdrawal of U.S. combat troops and handing over security responsibilities to Afghan forces.