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US Troop Drawdown Begins Amid Deepening Afghan Political Crisis

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani issued a decree late
   Tuesday setting in motion the process of releasing thousands of Taliban
   prisoners as the U.S. military begins a troop drawdown in the country
   -- steps outlined in a deal with the Islamist insurgent group aimed at
   ending the nearly 19-year-old war.

   The U.S.-Taliban agreement sealed in Qatar 10 days ago requires all
   American and coalition forces to leave the country in the next 14
   months, subject to insurgent counterterrorism assurances and
   commitments the Taliban would seek a political reconciliation with
   other Afghan stakeholders.

   "U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A) has begun its conditions-based
   reduction of forces to 8,600 over 135 days," said U.S. military
   spokesman Col. Sonny Leggett. There are about 13,000 troops stationed
   in the country.

   Leggett underscored the drawdown would ensure the U.S. military retains
   necessary means and capabilities to provide support to Afghan security
   forces and conduct counterterrorism operations.

   The crucial next step of opening peace negotiations between Afghan
   parties to the conflict requires the release of up to 5,000 insurgent
   prisoners from Afghan jails in exchange for 1,000 detainees, mostly
   government security forces, in Taliban custody.

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