US And NATO To Withdraw From Afghanistan Within 14 Months Under US-Taliban Peace Deal

US and NATO forces based in Afghanistan are expected to withdraw from the country within the next 14 months after a peace deal was signed between the US and the Taliban.

The deal, signed in Doha in Qatar, marks a key milestone in ending more than 18 years of war.

Under the agreement, American troop levels will drop to 8,600 from about 13,000 in the next four to five months.

The withdrawal of all remaining forces, within 14 months, will depend on the Taliban meeting certain counter-terrorism conditions, assessed by the US.

On Twitter, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: "Today's agreements are the first steps to ending decades of devastating conflict & pave the way for negotiations among Afghans.

"The time for peace is now."

There are about 1,100 British Army troops based in Afghanistan as part of the NATO mission in the country. 

Britain ended its combat role in Afghanistan in 2014 but personnel are currently deployed to the country in non-combat capacities. 

In a statement, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the deal is a "small but important step" towards peace in Afghanistan.

"We should never forget that much of this has been achieved through sacrifices made by the brave men and women of the UK Armed Forces," Mr Wallace said.

"We remain absolutely committed to building an Afghanistan that is a strong partner for decades to come."

The US invaded Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks in 2001 to overthrow the Taliban, who had hosted Osama bin Laden and al Qaida as they planned and celebrated the assault.

Cover Image: US troops in Afghanistan (Picture: US Department of Defense).