US begins withdrawing troops from Afghanistan

The US has started withdrawing troops from Afghanistan as part of a deal with the Taliban aimed at bringing peace to the country.

The US agreed to reduce its troops from about 12,000 to 8,600 within 135 days of signing the agreement.

The US and its Nato allies have agreed to withdraw all troops within 14 months if the militants uphold the deal.

Drawing back troops was a condition of the historic peace deal signed by the US and the Taliban on 29 February. Under the agreement, the militants have agreed to refrain from attacks as well as not allowing al-Qaeda or any other extremist group to operate in the areas they control. The Afghan government did not take part in the deal, but is expected to hold talks with the Taliban.