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Belgium to gradually withdraw soldiers from Afghanistan in early 2016

Xinhua, July 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Belgian soldiers in Afghanistan will gradually be withdrawn in early 2016, said Belgian Minister of Defense Steven Vandeput in response to a question in the parliament late on Wednesday.

"In autumn 2015, the operation 'Resolute Support' (RSM, led by NATO to train the Afghan security forces) will initiate a sequential withdrawal of all troops deployed," said the minister.

The few dozen Belgian soldiers deployed in Afghanistan in five regional "Training, Advice and Assist Commands" (LDAC) will gradually ben withdrawn from the north to the capital Kabul, before their return to Belgium.

The LDAC of Mazar-i-Sharif (Northern Afghanistan), which, led by Germany, currently has 58 Belgian soldiers should close "in the first half of 2016", as expected, the minister added.

Last month, German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen, announced that German troops would withdraw early 2016 from northern Afghanistan to focus their presence as part of the mission "Resolute Support" on the Afghan capital.

"Resolute Support" succeeded the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) earlier this year and is expected to be completed in late 2016, with the current strength of 12,500 men (including 808 German soldiers and some 70 Belgians). Endit