US President Donald Trump made a surprise visit to Bagram air base in Afghanistan last month and insisted a ceasefire with the Taliban was needed (Olivier Douliery)
<p>Washington (AFP) – The Trump administration will announce as early as this week plans to withdraw around 4,000 troops from Afghanistan, US media reported.</p><p>Talks between the United States and the Taliban resumed a week ago as the parties sought a path to reduce violence or even reach a ceasefire. </p><p>They were paused by Washington on Thursday, however, after an attack by the militant group near a key US air base north of Kabul that left two civilians dead and dozens injured.</p><p>There are 13,000 US troops currently in Afghanistan.</p><p>NBC on Saturday cited three current and former US officials as saying the Trump administration intends to announce the drawdown of 4,000 troops from Afghanistan.</p><p>Two of those said some of the troops would be redeploying early, while others would not be replaced when they end their term.</p><p>CNN cited one official in the Trump administration as saying the announcement on a drawdown could happen this week, but that the "timing remains in flux."</p><p>The State Department did not reply to an AFP request to comment on Sunday, and the Pentagon referred questions to the White House, which had no immediate comment.</p><p>According to a draft agreement from September — reached after years of negotiations — the Taliban would be required to commit to certain security measures, agree to talks with the Afghan government and promise a reduction of violence in exchange for a US troop withdrawal. </p><p>US President Donald Trump insisted last month on the need for a ceasefire and made a surprise visit to Bagram air base in Afghanistan on November 28 to celebrate Thanksgiving with troops and meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.</p><p>Trump has previously indicated he wants to wind down US military entanglements abroad where possible.</p><p></p>

Disclaimer: Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.