President Barack Obama announced Thursday that U.S. troops will remain in Afghanistan in their current numbers through most of 2016, with about half remaining on beyond that.
The announcement interrupted morning talk shows, including ABC’s “The View,” as Obama spoke from the Roosevelt Room in the White House.
“While America’s combat mission in Afghanistan may be over, our commitment to Afghanistan and and its people endures,” Obama said. “As commander in chief, I will not allow Afghanistan to be used as a safe haven for terrorists to attack our nation again.”
Under the new plan, the number of U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan would stay at 9,800 through most of 2016, and then drop to 5,500 by early 2017. Major military bases for the operation will be stationed in cities Kabul, Bagram, Jalalabad and Kandahar.
Obama reiterated the troops would be only focused on two very narrow missions: To train Afghan forces, and to battle al-Qaeda.
The policy is a change from Obama’s earlier plans to withdraw most troops by the end of 2016, at which point the U.S. would remain in Afghanistan in an “embassy only” capacity.
“Afghanistan remains dangerous,” Obama said. “Twenty-five brave Americans have given their lives there this year. I do not send you into harm’s way lightly. It’s the most solemn decision that I make. I know the wages of war in the wounded warriors I visit in the hospital and in the grief of gold star families. But as your commander in chief, I believe this mission is vital for our national security interests and preventing terrorist attacks against our citizens and our nation.”