US Commander of Afghan Deployment Steps Down: "End of 20-Year War"

Residents who fled their homes to avoid clashes between government forces and the Islamic militant group Taliban in Afghanistan are seen living at a temporary refugee facility in Herat Province on the 8th (local time). As the Taliban has recently expanded its influence significantly amid the withdrawal of U.S. and other foreign troops from Afghanistan, the number of residents escaping to safer areas is increasing. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] The longest overseas war for the United States, the Afghanistan War, is coming to an end.

This is because General Scott Miller, who led the U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces, stepped down from his command on the 12th (local time).

Local media on the day interpreted this as "the symbolic end to the 20-year war as the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan resigns."

General Miller took office in August 2018, serving for about three years, making his tenure the longest among all commanders of U.S. forces stationed in Afghanistan.

After General Miller steps down, command of the U.S. forces in Afghanistan will be transferred to General Frank McKenzie of the Central Command. The Central Command, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, is responsible for Afghanistan as well as the Middle East, Egypt, and Kazakhstan.

President Joe Biden announced plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan last April. The initial target was before September 11, but accelerating the schedule, the mission of U.S. forces stationed in Afghanistan is expected to end by the 31st of next month.

However, concerns have been raised that as U.S. and NATO forces withdraw, the Taliban may regain strength and civil war could break out again.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.