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The order falls short of President Donald Trump’s target, who is expected to step down on January 20 after the recent presidential election, when he previously admitted total troop withdrawal by the end of 2020, a position that has met with opposition from advisers. military and diplomats. .
The Pentagon also plans to reduce the number of US troops in Iraq to 2,500, a reduction of more than 500 troops. The decisions came as no surprise, following Trump’s changes at the helm of the Pentagon over the past week, when he fostered trusted people who share his frustration at the continued military presence in war zones.
These cuts are a success for Trump in his final weeks in power, despite continuing to refuse to acknowledge his November presidential election defeat to Democrat Joe Biden.
The official indicated that the military leaders were informed over the weekend of the retreat planning and that an executive order is being drafted that has not yet been delivered to the commandos.
The responsible official asked for anonymity because these were internal deliberations. Currently, the United States maintains between 4,500 and 5,000 troops in Afghanistan and more than 3,000 in Iraq.
Under this order, the troop reduction will be completed just five before Biden takes office, a ceremony scheduled for January 20, and will send him a small military presence in two decisive war zones.
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