The United States has begun returning troops from Afghanistan after Washington and NATO allies agreed, in February, to withdraw all troops within 14 months if the Taliban upheld the plan.
The withdrawal - confirmed by the Pentagon on Monday, will see troop levels drop from about 12,000 to about 8,600 in 135 days as a key component in a peace plan signed with the Taliban.
The withdrawal comes amid a growing political crisis as negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government were set to begin on Tuesday, but were delayed because two different governments have claimed to be leading Afghanistan.
The US has pressed the United Nation Security Council to endorse the peace deal with the Taliban.
Image: AP
