Obama to keep troops in Afghanistan beyond 2016

Mr Obama, who had promised in his 2012 re-election campaign to end the war, will slow down the withdrawal of troops, maintaining 9,800 troops at several Afghan bases throughout most of next year before reducing the number to 5,500 into the following year.

On Thursday, President Obama announced more US troops will remain in Afghanistan fro an extended period of time.

Keeping 5,500 troops at four locations will cost about $14.6 billion per year, up from the estimated cost of $10 billion to keep a consolidated force at the Kabul embassy, officials said.

Republicans have repeatedly criticized Obama, suggesting that he was willing to stick to a drawdown plan for political and legacy reasons while ignoring conditions on the ground.

Commending that the U.S. will maintain its current troop levels in Afghanistan, Stoltenberg said in a statement, “The significant USA contribution will be an important factor as we consider the way ahead”, Xinhua reported.

While a few Fort Bragg soldiers said the decision comes as no surprise, McNeill said “there was no indication” that Obama would change course on withdrawing from Afghanistan.

“Now that the situation has deteriorated on the ground, I think it’s a wise decision”, but criticized Obama’s last troop surge in the region, saying he would have used special forces instead. “At the same time, Afghan forces are still not as strong as they need to be”.

In December 2014, Obama announced formal combat ended in Afghanistan.

“This modest but meaningful extension of our presence – while sticking to our current, narrow missions – can make a real difference”, Obama said.

America’s “longest war” – one prompted by the Taliban refusal to surrender Al Qaeda leaders including Osama Bin Laden after the 9/11 terror attacks – will continue.

The troops staying in Afghanistan beyond next year will continue to focus on counterterrorism missions and training and advising Afghan security forces, officials told the Associated Press.

“You wonder as a parent what would he have accomplished if he did come home”, Seamans said.

“The bottom line is, in key areas of the country, the security situation is still very fragile, and in a few places there is risk of deterioration”, Obama added.

“If we don’t take the fight to the terrorists, they’ll bring it here to us”, said Capt. Jonathan Bingham, Company Commander, Utah Army National 19th Special Forces.