WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The US military has not halted a US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Department of Defense told Reuters on Monday, despite a new law prohibiting further reductions without the Pentagon sending Congress an assessment of the risks. “If they are continuing the drawdown, that would be a violation of the law,” said a congressional aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Halting the drawdown could jeopardize the US-backed Afghanistan peace process as a February 2019 agreement with the Taliban calls for a complete U.S. troop withdrawal by May in return for the insurgents fulfilling security guarantees. In November, the Pentagon said it would reduce the number of US forces in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500 by mid-January. The Pentagon said it was “evaluating” the impact the legislation would have on US troop strength in Afghanistan.

Source: Egypt Independent January 12, 2021 02:26 UTC