A report by Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John Sopko, which was declassified earlier this week implies that months before US President Joe Biden announced the US troops'&nbsp;withdrawal from Afghanistan last year, Washington's watchdog had warned that the Afghan air force would collapse without American aid and training.&nbsp;

SIGAR analysed Washington’s spending and progress in Afghanistan since 2008. It has also released certain reports that highlighted corruption, Afghan and US leadership failings. It also offered recommendations on where and how to improve.

A report which was submitted to the US Department of Defense in January 2021, highlights that the American authorities were alerted that the Afghan air force did not have the capabilities to survive after US withdrawal.&nbsp;It further highlights US' failure to train Afghan staff.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/over-500000-jobs-lost-in-afghanistan-since-taliban-takeover-women-worst-hit-446183">Also read |&nbsp;Over 500,000 jobs lost in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover, women worst hit</a>

The inspector general’s office while speaking to the Associated Press said that it is not every day that SIGAR reports are classified but when they are, a declassified version is issued by the Pentagon in under two months. The office further said that it is not aware why the Defense Department took more than a year before declassifying this particular report.

As per the new report, between 2010 and 2019, the US spent $8.5 billion “to support and develop” the Afghan air force and its elite unit, the Special Mission Wing. However, it further warns that both are ill-prepared.&nbsp;

It also warns against removing the hundreds of US contractors who maintained the aircraft fleet.

Sopko said that even as the US Department of Defense recognised the Afghan air force’s progress “in combat operation capabilities, pilot and ground crew proficiency, as well as air-to-ground integration," they continued “to struggle with human capital limitations, leadership challenges, aircraft misuse, and a dependence on contractor logistic support.”

It remains unclear whether the report was submitted in the final days of the Trump administration or whether US President Joe Biden had taken office by then.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A report by Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John Sopko, which was declassified earlier this week implies that months before US President Joe Biden announced the US troops' withdrawal from Afghanistan last year, Washington's watchdog had warned that the Afghan air force would collapse without American aid and training.

A report by Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John Sopko, which was declassified earlier this week implies that months before US President Joe Biden announced the US troops' withdrawal from Afghanistan last year, Washington's watchdog had warned that the Afghan air force would collapse without American aid and training. SIGAR analysed Washington’s spending and progress in Afghanistan since 2008. It has also released certain reports that highlighted corruption, Afghan and US leadership failings. It also offered recommendations on where and how to improve. A report which was submitted to the US Department of Defense in January 2021, highlights that the American authorities were alerted that the Afghan air force did not have the capabilities to survive after US withdrawal. It further highlights US' failure to train Afghan staff. Also read | Over 500,000 jobs lost in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover, women worst hit The inspector general’s office while speaking to the Associated Press said that it is not every day that SIGAR reports are classified but when they are, a declassified version is issued by the Pentagon in under two months. The office further said that it is not aware why the Defense Department took more than a year before declassifying this particular report. As per the new report, between 2010 and 2019, the US spent $8.5 billion “to support and develop” the Afghan air force and its elite unit, the Special Mission Wing. However, it further warns that both are ill-prepared. It also warns against removing the hundreds of US contractors who maintained the aircraft fleet. Sopko said that even as the US Department of Defense recognised the Afghan air force’s progress “in combat operation capabilities, pilot and ground crew proficiency, as well as air-to-ground integration," they continued “to struggle with human capital limitations, leadership challenges, aircraft misuse, and a dependence on contractor logistic support.” It remains unclear whether the report was submitted in the final days of the Trump administration or whether US President Joe Biden had taken office by then. (With inputs from agencies)

Watchdog had warned of Afghan force collapse way before US pullout

UK Prime minister Boris Johnson addressed MPs about Britain's withdrawal from Afghanistan, amid criticism of the handling of the evacuation.

UK PM Boris Johnson addresses lawmakers on Afghanistan pullout

Italy&nbsp;has completed its troop pullout from Afghanistan, Rome announced on Wednesday, ending a 20-year deployment there as part of an accelerated withdrawal of NATO forces.

Members of the US-backed alliance agreed in April to wrap up their 9,600-strong mission in Afghanistan after US President Joe Biden made the call to end Washington's longest war.

"Last night, the Italian mission in Afghanistan officially ended," Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini said in a statement after dozens of soldiers landed at Pisa's international airport from Herat.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unstoppable-182-unmarked-graves-found-at-third-canadian-school-395019">Also Read |&nbsp;'Unstoppable': 182 unmarked graves found at third Canadian school</a>

"However, the international community's commitment to Afghanistan, starting with&nbsp;Italy, does not end here. It will continue in other forms, from strengthening development cooperation to supporting Afghan republican institutions."

According to the ministry, 50,000 Italian soldiers were deployed to Afghanistan over the past 20 years after the 9/11 attacks prompted the US and NATO involvement in the country.

Over that period, 53 soldiers died and 723 were injured.

Italy&nbsp;was one of the five countries most involved in Afghanistan along with the United States, Turkey, Britain and Germany as part of "Resolute Support."

This NATO-led non-combat mission aimed to train Afghan forces into ensuring their country's security after the departure of foreign forces.

Germany announced Tuesday that all its troops had left Afghanistan as the largest pull-out, that of the United States, is ongoing.&nbsp;

The withdrawal has fuelled fears the Taliban could regain power in the country.

Rome has begun the process of bringing to&nbsp;Italy&nbsp;those Afghan citizens who helped Italian forces during the deployment. The army has identified 270 eligible people while studying the cases of another 400.&nbsp;

Eighty-two Afghans, most of them interpreters and their families, arrived at Rome's Fiumicino Airport on June 14.&nbsp;

Italy has completed its troop pullout from Afghanistan, Rome announced on Wednesday, ending a 20-year deployment there as part of an accelerated withdrawal of NATO forces.

Italy has completed its troop pullout from Afghanistan, Rome announced on Wednesday, ending a 20-year deployment there as part of an accelerated withdrawal of NATO forces. Members of the US-backed alliance agreed in April to wrap up their 9,600-strong mission in Afghanistan after US President Joe Biden made the call to end Washington's longest war. "Last night, the Italian mission in Afghanistan officially ended," Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini said in a statement after dozens of soldiers landed at Pisa's international airport from Herat. Also Read | 'Unstoppable': 182 unmarked graves found at third Canadian school "However, the international community's commitment to Afghanistan, starting with Italy, does not end here. It will continue in other forms, from strengthening development cooperation to supporting Afghan republican institutions." According to the ministry, 50,000 Italian soldiers were deployed to Afghanistan over the past 20 years after the 9/11 attacks prompted the US and NATO involvement in the country. Over that period, 53 soldiers died and 723 were injured. Italy was one of the five countries most involved in Afghanistan along with the United States, Turkey, Britain and Germany as part of "Resolute Support." This NATO-led non-combat mission aimed to train Afghan forces into ensuring their country's security after the departure of foreign forces. Germany announced Tuesday that all its troops had left Afghanistan as the largest pull-out, that of the United States, is ongoing. The withdrawal has fuelled fears the Taliban could regain power in the country. Rome has begun the process of bringing to Italy those Afghan citizens who helped Italian forces during the deployment. The army has identified 270 eligible people while studying the cases of another 400. Eighty-two Afghans, most of them interpreters and their families, arrived at Rome's Fiumicino Airport on June 14.

Italy completes troop pullout from Afghanistan

The Pentagon on Monday said 'small harassing attacks' in Afghanistan over the weekend had not had a significant impact on the United States' military withdrawal from the country. &nbsp;

"What we've seen are some small harassing attacks over the course of the weekend that have not had any significant impact, certainly not on our people or our resources there and bases," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters.&nbsp;

The commander of foreign forces in Afghanistan said on Saturday it would be a mistake for insurgents to attack foreign troops still present after the passing of a May 1 deadline for withdrawal agreed last year with Taliban militants.&nbsp;

US Army General Scott Miller's comments followed what a US forces spokesman described as 'ineffective indirect fire' at an airfield in Kandahar that had caused no injuries or damage. The Taliban did not immediately respond to request for comment on whether it was involved.&nbsp;

Taliban insurgents attacked an army outpost in Afghanistan's southwestern Farah province killing at least seven soldiers, local officials said on Monday.&nbsp;

Violence against Afghans has risen in recent weeks, with more than a hundred Afghan security forces personnel killed.&nbsp;

(With input from agencies) &nbsp;

The Pentagon on Monday said 'small harassing attacks' in Afghanistan over the weekend had not had a significant impact on the United States' military withdrawal from the country.

The Pentagon on Monday said 'small harassing attacks' in Afghanistan over the weekend had not had a significant impact on the United States' military withdrawal from the country. "What we've seen are some small harassing attacks over the course of the weekend that have not had any significant impact, certainly not on our people or our resources there and bases," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters. The commander of foreign forces in Afghanistan said on Saturday it would be a mistake for insurgents to attack foreign troops still present after the passing of a May 1 deadline for withdrawal agreed last year with Taliban militants. US Army General Scott Miller's comments followed what a US forces spokesman described as 'ineffective indirect fire' at an airfield in Kandahar that had caused no injuries or damage. The Taliban did not immediately respond to request for comment on whether it was involved. Taliban insurgents attacked an army outpost in Afghanistan's southwestern Farah province killing at least seven soldiers, local officials said on Monday. Violence against Afghans has risen in recent weeks, with more than a hundred Afghan security forces personnel killed. (With input from agencies)

'Small' Afghanistan attacks have no significant impact on troop pullout: US 

A senior pro-government official accused Yemen's Huthi rebels of faking an announced pullout from three strategic ports in Hodeida province on Saturday.

"The Huthis are staging a new ploy by handing over the ports of Hodeida, Saleef and Ras Issa to themselves without any monitoring by the United Nations and the government side," provincial governor Al-Hasan Taher told AFP.

Yemeni rebels said they were <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-houthis-start-withdrawing-from-ports-in-hodeidah-witness-217771">set to begin a unilateral withdrawal from the lifeline port of Hodeida on Saturday</a> in a bid to kickstart implementation of a December truce brokered by the UN.

The head of the rebels' Supreme Revolutionary Committee, Mohammed al-Huthi, said fighters would start pulling back at 10 am.

Hodeida is the main entry point for the bulk of Yemen's imports and humanitarian aid, providing a lifeline to millions of civilians who have been pushed to the brink of famine by more than four years of devastating conflict.&nbsp;

A senior pro-government official accused Yemen's Huthi rebels of faking an announced pullout from three strategic ports in Hodeida province on Saturday. "The Huthis are staging a new ploy by handing over the ports of Hodeida, Saleef and Ras Issa to themselves without any monitoring by the United Nations and the government side," provincial governor Al-Hasan Taher told AFP.

A senior pro-government official accused Yemen's Huthi rebels of faking an announced pullout from three strategic ports in Hodeida province on Saturday. "The Huthis are staging a new ploy by handing over the ports of Hodeida, Saleef and Ras Issa to themselves without any monitoring by the United Nations and the government side," provincial governor Al-Hasan Taher told AFP. Yemeni rebels said they were set to begin a unilateral withdrawal from the lifeline port of Hodeida on Saturday in a bid to kickstart implementation of a December truce brokered by the UN. The head of the rebels' Supreme Revolutionary Committee, Mohammed al-Huthi, said fighters would start pulling back at 10 am. Hodeida is the main entry point for the bulk of Yemen's imports and humanitarian aid, providing a lifeline to millions of civilians who have been pushed to the brink of famine by more than four years of devastating conflict.

Yemen government accuses rebels of 'ploy' over ports pullout

The United States has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syria-is-sand-and-death-trump-says-187966">no plan for Syria</a> as it proceeds with President Donald Trump's order to pull American troops out of the country, a top official who quit in protest at the policy said on Sunday.

Brett McGurk, who was America's envoy to the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State group, said "there's no plan for what's coming next" and this is increasing the risk to US forces.

He spoke in an interview with CBS's "Face the Nation," after a suicide bomber on Wednesday killed four Americans and 15 others in the northern Syrian town of Manbij. It was the deadliest attack to hit US troops since they deployed to Syria in 2014 to assist local forces against the Islamic State group.&nbsp;

The bombing came after Trump's announcement last month that he was ordering a full withdrawal of the 2,000 US troops from Syria, shocking allies and leading to the resignations of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis as well as McGurk.

Senior US officials have since given contradictory statements about US intentions, but the Pentagon said it had begun the withdrawal, although how long it would take remained uncertain.

"The president has made that clear -- we are leaving. And that means our force should be really with one mission: to get out and get out safely," McGurk told "Face the Nation."

But he added: "Right now we do not have a plan. It increases a vulnerability of our force... It is increasing the risk to our people on the ground in Syria and will open up space for ISIS," another acronym for IS.

Most importantly, said McGurk, the US cannot expect "a partner" such as NATO-ally Turkey to take the place of the United States.

"That is not realistic. And if our forces are under order to withdraw, as at the same time they are trying to find some formula for another coalition partner to come in, that is not workable. That is not a viable plan."

Trump announced the US withdrawal because, he said, IS had been defeated -- something McGurk and other experts dispute.

McGurk has previously warned that the US pullout would shore up Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and lessen America's leverage with Russia and Iran.

The United States has no plan for Syria as it proceeds with President Donald Trump's order to pull American troops out of the country, a top official who quit in protest at the policy said on Sunday.

The United States has no plan for Syria as it proceeds with President Donald Trump's order to pull American troops out of the country, a top official who quit in protest at the policy said on Sunday. Brett McGurk, who was America's envoy to the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State group, said "there's no plan for what's coming next" and this is increasing the risk to US forces. He spoke in an interview with CBS's "Face the Nation," after a suicide bomber on Wednesday killed four Americans and 15 others in the northern Syrian town of Manbij. It was the deadliest attack to hit US troops since they deployed to Syria in 2014 to assist local forces against the Islamic State group. The bombing came after Trump's announcement last month that he was ordering a full withdrawal of the 2,000 US troops from Syria, shocking allies and leading to the resignations of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis as well as McGurk. Senior US officials have since given contradictory statements about US intentions, but the Pentagon said it had begun the withdrawal, although how long it would take remained uncertain. "The president has made that clear -- we are leaving. And that means our force should be really with one mission: to get out and get out safely," McGurk told "Face the Nation." But he added: "Right now we do not have a plan. It increases a vulnerability of our force... It is increasing the risk to our people on the ground in Syria and will open up space for ISIS," another acronym for IS. Most importantly, said McGurk, the US cannot expect "a partner" such as NATO-ally Turkey to take the place of the United States. "That is not realistic. And if our forces are under order to withdraw, as at the same time they are trying to find some formula for another coalition partner to come in, that is not workable. That is not a viable plan." Trump announced the US withdrawal because, he said, IS had been defeated -- something McGurk and other experts dispute. McGurk has previously warned that the US pullout would shore up Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and lessen America's leverage with Russia and Iran.

America has 'no plan' as it pulls out of Syria: Ex-US envoy

The United States does not want to be the "Policeman" of the Middle East, US President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday, as he defended <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-is-right-to-pull-us-troops-out-of-syria-says-putin-185511">his controversial decision to pull US forces out of Syria</a>.

"Does the USA want to be the Policeman of the Middle East, getting NOTHING but spending precious lives and trillions of dollars protecting others who, in almost all cases, do not appreciate what we are doing? Do we want to be there forever? Time for others to finally fight....," he tweeted.

Trump added: "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-is-right-to-pull-us-troops-out-of-syria-says-putin-185511">Russia, Iran, Syria &amp; many others are not happy about the U.S. leaving, despite what the Fake News says</a>, because now they will have to fight ISIS and others, who they hate, without us.&nbsp;

"I am building by far the most powerful military in the world. ISIS hits us they are doomed!"

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After historic victories against ISIS, it’s time to bring our great young people home! <a href="https://t.co/xoNjFzQFTp">pic.twitter.com/xoNjFzQFTp</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075528854402256896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Getting out of Syria was no surprise. I’ve been campaigning on it for years, and six months ago, when I very publicly wanted to do it, I agreed to stay longer. Russia, Iran, Syria &amp; others are the local enemy of ISIS. We were doing there work. Time to come home &amp; rebuild. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAGA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MAGA</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075718191253504001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Does the USA want to be the Policeman of the Middle East, getting NOTHING but spending precious lives and trillions of dollars protecting others who, in almost all cases, do not appreciate what we are doing? Do we want to be there forever? Time for others to finally fight.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075721703421042688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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....Russia, Iran, Syria &amp; many others are not happy about the U.S. leaving, despite what the Fake News says, because now they will have to fight ISIS and others, who they hate, without us. I am building by far the most powerful military in the world. ISIS hits us they are doomed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075726666574544896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The US president faced intense opposition to his abrupt announcement Wednesday that Islamic State had been defeated in the region, and that he was ordering the 2,000 US troops in Syria to exit the country.

Trump's decision runs counter to long-established US policy for Syria and the region. It blindsided lawmakers, the Pentagon and international allies alike.

"Getting out of Syria was no surprise," Trump wrote in an earlier tweet. "I've been campaigning on it for years, and six months ago, when I very publicly wanted to do it, I agreed to stay longer.&nbsp;

"Russia, Iran, Syria &amp; others are the local enemy of ISIS. We were doing there work. Time to come home &amp; rebuild. #MAGA"

The US withdrawal could have major geopolitical ramifications, and plunges into uncertainty the fate of US-backed Kurdish fighters who have been tackling Islamic State jihadists, thousands of whom are thought to remain in Syria.

The United States does not want to be the "Policeman" of the Middle East, US President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday, as he defended his controversial decision to pull US forces out of Syria.

The United States does not want to be the "Policeman" of the Middle East, US President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday, as he defended his controversial decision to pull US forces out of Syria. "Does the USA want to be the Policeman of the Middle East, getting NOTHING but spending precious lives and trillions of dollars protecting others who, in almost all cases, do not appreciate what we are doing? Do we want to be there forever? Time for others to finally fight....," he tweeted. Trump added: "Russia, Iran, Syria & many others are not happy about the U.S. leaving, despite what the Fake News says, because now they will have to fight ISIS and others, who they hate, without us. "I am building by far the most powerful military in the world. ISIS hits us they are doomed!" After historic victories against ISIS, it’s time to bring our great young people home! pic.twitter.com/xoNjFzQFTp — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2018 × Getting out of Syria was no surprise. I’ve been campaigning on it for years, and six months ago, when I very publicly wanted to do it, I agreed to stay longer. Russia, Iran, Syria & others are the local enemy of ISIS. We were doing there work. Time to come home & rebuild. #MAGA — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018 × Does the USA want to be the Policeman of the Middle East, getting NOTHING but spending precious lives and trillions of dollars protecting others who, in almost all cases, do not appreciate what we are doing? Do we want to be there forever? Time for others to finally fight..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018 × ....Russia, Iran, Syria & many others are not happy about the U.S. leaving, despite what the Fake News says, because now they will have to fight ISIS and others, who they hate, without us. I am building by far the most powerful military in the world. ISIS hits us they are doomed! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018 × The US president faced intense opposition to his abrupt announcement Wednesday that Islamic State had been defeated in the region, and that he was ordering the 2,000 US troops in Syria to exit the country. Trump's decision runs counter to long-established US policy for Syria and the region. It blindsided lawmakers, the Pentagon and international allies alike. "Getting out of Syria was no surprise," Trump wrote in an earlier tweet. "I've been campaigning on it for years, and six months ago, when I very publicly wanted to do it, I agreed to stay longer. "Russia, Iran, Syria & others are the local enemy of ISIS. We were doing there work. Time to come home & rebuild. #MAGA" The US withdrawal could have major geopolitical ramifications, and plunges into uncertainty the fate of US-backed Kurdish fighters who have been tackling Islamic State jihadists, thousands of whom are thought to remain in Syria.

Trump defends pullout from Syria, says 'time for others to finally fight'

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