US troops withdraw from last military base in Afghanistan

Senior defense officials confirmed American and coalition forces have left Bagram Airfield, the epicenter of American military operations in Afghanistan for nearly two decades.

That withdrawal effectively ends American military operations in Afghanistan months before President Biden’s announced Sept. 11 departure.

U.S. officials told the Associated Press last month that 650 troops will remain in the country to protect diplomats and the American embassy in the capital city, Kabul.

The Afghan government will resume control of Bagram Airfield. It is the nation’s largest air base, situated forty miles north of Kabul.

Looters unlawfully entered the base Friday morning and stole laptops and gas canisters.

Some U.S. intelligence estimates predict the Afghan government could fall to the Taliban in six months in the wake of coalition withdrawals.