This is an archive article published on May 28, 2021

Defence chief: US pullout from Afghanistan ‘slightly’ ahead

US military commanders have said they will monitor and counter threats from al-Qaida and the Islamic State group from outside the country once US forces leave Afghanistan later this summer.

President Joe Biden has ordered a full US troop withdrawal by September 11. (File Photo)

By: AP

2 min readWashingtonMay 28, 2021 08:43 AM IST First published on: May 28, 2021 at 08:43 AM IST

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told Congress on Thursday that America’s troop withdrawal from Afghanistan is “slightly” ahead of schedule, but he provided no details.

President Joe Biden has ordered a full US troop withdrawal by September 11. Austin did not say when it may be complete.

Explained | What after US exit from Afghanistan?

Austin said at a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing that the Defence Department’s proposed $715 billion budget will include money to help the military develop the capabilities to prevent attacks against the United States by terrorist groups in Afghanistan.

With the budget set to be released Friday, Austin provided few spending specifics to committee members asking about various priorities.

# US troops Afghanistan