US Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived in Afghanistan on Sunday, it has been reported.
Esper told reporters travelling with him that he believes the US can reduce its troops in Afghanistan to 8,600 without hurting the counterterrorism fight against al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. But he said any withdrawal would happen as part of a peace agreement with the Taliban, the Associated Press reported.
The US has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan for training and advising Afghan forces and conducting counterterrorism operations.
This is Esper’s first visit to Afghanistan after being appointed as Pentagon chief.
It comes six weeks after US President Donald Trump cancelled peace talks with the Taliban and escalated offensive against the militant group.
“The aim is to still get a peace agreement at some point, that’s the best way forward,” Esper said.
