The United States has reduced its military presence in Afghanistan to the level negotiated with the Taliban, around 8,600 troops, the top US commander for the region said Thursday.

"What I would tell you now is we have met our part of the agreement," General Kenneth McKenzie, the head of US Central Command, told a panel discussion hosted by the Aspen Institute.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-freed-taliban-prisoners-seek-return-to-battlefield-304988">Afghanistan: Freed Taliban prisoners seek return to battlefield</a>

"We agreed to go to the mid-8,000 range within 135 days," McKenzie said. "We're at that number now."&nbsp;

Under the February deal reached with the Taliban, the United States agreed to reduce its forces in Afghanistan from 12,000 troops to 8,600 by mid-July.

The agreement calls for all US and foreign troops to quit Afghanistan by mid-2021, nearly 20 years after Washington invaded the country following the September 11 attacks by al-Qaeda on New York and Washington.&nbsp;

McKenzie stressed that while the goal of a complete withdrawal by May 2021 was "aspirational," it was also conditional.

It is a "conditions-based approach," the general said, and "conditions would have to be met that satisfy us -- that attacks against our homeland are not going to be generated from Afghanistan."

"We all know already that (the Taliban) are no friends of ISIS," McKenzie said of the Islamic State group.

"What we need to see is what they're going to do against al-Qaeda," he said of the group responsible for 9/11. "And we need to see that in deeds and not words."&nbsp;

"And so we're very focused on what the Taliban is doing, how they're participating in these negotiations as we go forward," he said. "The jury is still very much out."&nbsp;

President Donald Trump, who is running for re-election in November, has said repeatedly that he wants US troops out of Afghanistan as soon as possible.

The United States has reduced its military presence in Afghanistan to the level negotiated with the Taliban, around 8,600 troops, the top US commander for the region said Thursday.

The United States has reduced its military presence in Afghanistan to the level negotiated with the Taliban, around 8,600 troops, the top US commander for the region said Thursday. "What I would tell you now is we have met our part of the agreement," General Kenneth McKenzie, the head of US Central Command, told a panel discussion hosted by the Aspen Institute. Also read | Afghanistan: Freed Taliban prisoners seek return to battlefield "We agreed to go to the mid-8,000 range within 135 days," McKenzie said. "We're at that number now." Under the February deal reached with the Taliban, the United States agreed to reduce its forces in Afghanistan from 12,000 troops to 8,600 by mid-July. The agreement calls for all US and foreign troops to quit Afghanistan by mid-2021, nearly 20 years after Washington invaded the country following the September 11 attacks by al-Qaeda on New York and Washington. McKenzie stressed that while the goal of a complete withdrawal by May 2021 was "aspirational," it was also conditional. It is a "conditions-based approach," the general said, and "conditions would have to be met that satisfy us -- that attacks against our homeland are not going to be generated from Afghanistan." "We all know already that (the Taliban) are no friends of ISIS," McKenzie said of the Islamic State group. "What we need to see is what they're going to do against al-Qaeda," he said of the group responsible for 9/11. "And we need to see that in deeds and not words." "And so we're very focused on what the Taliban is doing, how they're participating in these negotiations as we go forward," he said. "The jury is still very much out." President Donald Trump, who is running for re-election in November, has said repeatedly that he wants US troops out of Afghanistan as soon as possible.

We have met our part of commitment with Taliban: Top US commander

The Afghan government and Taliban on Sunday held their first talks regarding the release of prisoners, the US special envoy for Afghanistan said.&nbsp;

"Today, the US and Qatar facilitated the first Afghan government to Taliban technical talks on prisoner releases, via Skype video conferencing," Zalmay Khalilzad said on Twitter.

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Today, the US and Qatar facilitated the first Afghan government to Taliban technical talks on prisoner releases, via Skype video conferencing.
— U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) <a href="https://twitter.com/US4AfghanPeace/status/1241777874723536897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The development comes after the prevailing deadlock between Afghan administration and the militant group following the historic Doha deal, which made way for the exit of US troops from the region.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/release-of-taliban-prisoners-stalls-over-guarantees-286486">Release of Taliban prisoners stalls over guarantees</a>

As per the deal, Taliban committed to reducing violence and continue fighting against terrorist groups like Al Qaeda.

On &nbsp;Wednesday, Khalilzad said it is “urgent” to finalise plans on prisoners exchange as the coronavirus pandemic is creating diplomatic challenges.&nbsp;

The agreement signed on February 29 in Doha intended to end America’s longest war that began after the Sept 11 terror attacks in 2001. &nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-begins-troops-withdrawal-from-afghanistan-10-days-after-taliban-deal-285385">US begins troops withdrawal from Afghanistan 10 days after Taliban deal</a>

The deal mentions the release of up to 5,000 Taliban militants held by Kabul and up to 1,000 people of the Afghan government forces captured by the insurgent group.&nbsp;

This move was supposed to start before the inter-Afghan peace negotiations, originally scheduled for March 10.&nbsp;

However, Kabul, which was not part of the deal signed by US and Taliban, refused this offer initially, before finally agreeing upon gradual and conditional prisoner releases.&nbsp;

The Doha deal calls for the gradual pullout of American and other foreign troops deployed in Afghanistan over a 14-month period, the first phase of which has already started.&nbsp;

The Afghan government and Taliban on Sunday held their first talks regarding the release of prisoners, the US special envoy for Afghanistan said. "Today, the US and Qatar facilitated the first Afghan government to Taliban technical talks on prisoner releases, via Skype video conferencing," Zalmay Khalilzad said on Twitter.

The Afghan government and Taliban on Sunday held their first talks regarding the release of prisoners, the US special envoy for Afghanistan said. "Today, the US and Qatar facilitated the first Afghan government to Taliban technical talks on prisoner releases, via Skype video conferencing," Zalmay Khalilzad said on Twitter. Today, the US and Qatar facilitated the first Afghan government to Taliban technical talks on prisoner releases, via Skype video conferencing. — U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) March 22, 2020 × The development comes after the prevailing deadlock between Afghan administration and the militant group following the historic Doha deal, which made way for the exit of US troops from the region. Also read | Release of Taliban prisoners stalls over guarantees As per the deal, Taliban committed to reducing violence and continue fighting against terrorist groups like Al Qaeda. On Wednesday, Khalilzad said it is “urgent” to finalise plans on prisoners exchange as the coronavirus pandemic is creating diplomatic challenges. The agreement signed on February 29 in Doha intended to end America’s longest war that began after the Sept 11 terror attacks in 2001. Also read | US begins troops withdrawal from Afghanistan 10 days after Taliban deal The deal mentions the release of up to 5,000 Taliban militants held by Kabul and up to 1,000 people of the Afghan government forces captured by the insurgent group. This move was supposed to start before the inter-Afghan peace negotiations, originally scheduled for March 10. However, Kabul, which was not part of the deal signed by US and Taliban, refused this offer initially, before finally agreeing upon gradual and conditional prisoner releases. The Doha deal calls for the gradual pullout of American and other foreign troops deployed in Afghanistan over a 14-month period, the first phase of which has already started.

Afghan, Taliban held first talks regarding prisoner release: US envoy

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-police-foils-terror-plot-arrests-three-taliban-terrorists-278421">Taliban</a> lashed out at the Trump administration&nbsp;on&nbsp;Wednesday, accusing the US of holding up negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would see the Americans end their 18-year war in Afghanistan.

The US&nbsp;and the Taliban are still wrangling over a possible deal that would see US troops begin to leave Afghanistan in return for security guarantees.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-envoy-for-taliban-talks-back-in-kabul-official-278071">US envoy for Taliban talks back in Kabul: Official</a>

However, there appears to have been little progress in reaching a deal in recent weeks, prompting the insurgents to saddle blame on the White House and what they say are a growing list of demands by the Americans.

The Taliban "has the intention &amp; capacity for a resolution," said spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a tweet.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reaction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Reaction</a> 
IEA has the intention &amp; capacity for a resolution. Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands &amp; quarrel b/w US &amp; Kabul officials.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecPompeo</a> should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled &amp; concerted - unlike them.
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1224647135746043905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands &amp; quarrel b/w US &amp; Kabul officials. Secretary Pompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled &amp; concerted - unlike them," he added.

The Taliban's remarks came a day after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the insurgents must make "demonstrable evidence of their will and capacity to reduce violence" in order to reach an agreement during a meeting with Central Asian officials in Uzbekistan.

The tweet also came days after Zalmay Khalilzad -&nbsp;the US special envoy leading negotiations with the Taliban launched a new round of shuttle diplomacy by travelling to both Pakistan and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-bombing-of-afghanistan-hits-10-year-high-us-air-force-277324">Afghanistan</a> to brief officials on the status of the talks.

In recent weeks, the US has been largely been quiet on the exact status of the negotiations, while the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-violence-rises-amid-us-taliban-talks-watchdog-277677">Taliban </a>has&nbsp;insisted they were prepared to reduce fighting to move talks forward.

The US and Taliban had been negotiating the deal for a year and were on the brink of an announcement in September last year&nbsp;when President Donald Trump abruptly declared the process "dead", citing Taliban violence.

Talks were later restarted in December in Qatar, but paused again following an attack near the US-run Bagram military base in Afghanistan.

The Taliban lashed out at the Trump administration on Wednesday, accusing the US of holding up negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would see the Americans end their 18-year war in Afghanistan.

The Taliban lashed out at the Trump administration on Wednesday, accusing the US of holding up negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would see the Americans end their 18-year war in Afghanistan. The US and the Taliban are still wrangling over a possible deal that would see US troops begin to leave Afghanistan in return for security guarantees. Also read: US envoy for Taliban talks back in Kabul: Official However, there appears to have been little progress in reaching a deal in recent weeks, prompting the insurgents to saddle blame on the White House and what they say are a growing list of demands by the Americans. The Taliban "has the intention & capacity for a resolution," said spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a tweet. #Reaction IEA has the intention & capacity for a resolution. Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands & quarrel b/w US & Kabul officials.@SecPompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled & concerted - unlike them. — Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) February 4, 2020 × "Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands & quarrel b/w US & Kabul officials. Secretary Pompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled & concerted - unlike them," he added. The Taliban's remarks came a day after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the insurgents must make "demonstrable evidence of their will and capacity to reduce violence" in order to reach an agreement during a meeting with Central Asian officials in Uzbekistan. The tweet also came days after Zalmay Khalilzad - the US special envoy leading negotiations with the Taliban launched a new round of shuttle diplomacy by travelling to both Pakistan and Afghanistan to brief officials on the status of the talks. In recent weeks, the US has been largely been quiet on the exact status of the negotiations, while the Taliban has insisted they were prepared to reduce fighting to move talks forward. The US and Taliban had been negotiating the deal for a year and were on the brink of an announcement in September last year when President Donald Trump abruptly declared the process "dead", citing Taliban violence. Talks were later restarted in December in Qatar, but paused again following an attack near the US-run Bagram military base in Afghanistan.

Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump and US demands: Taliban

Taiban said on Friday that the insurgent group is "optimistic" of signing a deal with the United States by the end of this month.

Taliban had also agreed to "scale down" military operations in Afghanistan in order to provide a safe environment for withdrawal of foreign forces from the region, Taliban chief spokesperson Suhail Shaheen told&nbsp;Pakistani daily Dawn.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-open-to-10-day-ceasefire-with-us-talks-with-afghan-government-report-275076">Taliban open to 10-day ceasefire with US, talks with Afghan government: Report</a>

“We have agreed to scale down military operations in days leading up to the signing of the peace agreement with the United States,” Shaheen, said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-special-envoy-zalmay-khalilzad-briefs-pakistan-on-taliban-peace-talks-268258">US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad briefs Pakistan on Taliban peace talks</a>

Shaheen said that the purpose behind the move is "to provide safe environment to foreign forces to withdraw from Afghanistan”. &nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-announces-a-pause-in-peace-talks-with-taliban-after-airbase-attack-267989">US announces a pause in peace talks with Taliban after airbase attack</a>

The chief spokesperson's comments came after Taliban is in talks with the US this week in Doha.&nbsp;

Shaheen, however, said that there is no agreement on ceasefire.&nbsp;

"The scaling down will be blanket and shall include all forces including state forces,” Shaheen added.&nbsp;

Shaheen also said that the draft peace agreement is ready.&nbsp;

“It’s now a matter of days", said the spokesperson, adding that the group is "optimistic" that the deal could be signed before the end of this month.&nbsp;

Afghan Presidential Palace said that it is unaware of the deal and affirmed that they need to be taken into confidence before finalising any agreement.&nbsp;

Taliban and the US had been working on a peace deal for a year and were on the brink of an announcement in September 2019 when President Donald Trump called off the process after a US soldier was killed in an attack.&nbsp;

Talks were restarted late in November 2019 after Trump made a surprise visit to Afghanistan. However, an attack near the Bagram military base once again halted the talks. &nbsp;

So far, the Taliban has not negotiated with the Afghanistan government as it considers the regime as "illegitimate".&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

Taiban said on Friday that the insurgent group is "optimistic" of signing a deal with the United States by the end of this month. Taliban had also agreed to "scale down" military operations in Afghanistan in order to provide a safe environment for withdrawal of foreign forces from the region, Taliban chief spokesperson Suhail Shaheen told Pakistani daily Dawn.

Taiban said on Friday that the insurgent group is "optimistic" of signing a deal with the United States by the end of this month. Taliban had also agreed to "scale down" military operations in Afghanistan in order to provide a safe environment for withdrawal of foreign forces from the region, Taliban chief spokesperson Suhail Shaheen told Pakistani daily Dawn. Also read: Taliban open to 10-day ceasefire with US, talks with Afghan government: Report “We have agreed to scale down military operations in days leading up to the signing of the peace agreement with the United States,” Shaheen, said. Also read: US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad briefs Pakistan on Taliban peace talks Shaheen said that the purpose behind the move is "to provide safe environment to foreign forces to withdraw from Afghanistan”. Also read: US announces a pause in peace talks with Taliban after airbase attack The chief spokesperson's comments came after Taliban is in talks with the US this week in Doha. Shaheen, however, said that there is no agreement on ceasefire. "The scaling down will be blanket and shall include all forces including state forces,” Shaheen added. Shaheen also said that the draft peace agreement is ready. “It’s now a matter of days", said the spokesperson, adding that the group is "optimistic" that the deal could be signed before the end of this month. Afghan Presidential Palace said that it is unaware of the deal and affirmed that they need to be taken into confidence before finalising any agreement. Taliban and the US had been working on a peace deal for a year and were on the brink of an announcement in September 2019 when President Donald Trump called off the process after a US soldier was killed in an attack. Talks were restarted late in November 2019 after Trump made a surprise visit to Afghanistan. However, an attack near the Bagram military base once again halted the talks. So far, the Taliban has not negotiated with the Afghanistan government as it considers the regime as "illegitimate". (with inputs from agencies)

Taliban says deal with US can be signed before end of this month: Report

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who is negotiating US-Taliban peace talks, reached Pakistan on Friday where he briefed it about the development with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-announces-a-pause-in-peace-talks-with-taliban-after-airbase-attack-267989">Taliban in Afghanistan</a>, US embassy officials said.

"In his meetings with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and other government officials, Ambassador Khalilzad discussed the current status of US-Taliban talks," the statement of the US Embassy in Pakistan said.&nbsp;

The US special representative highlighted Pakistan's support for intra-Afghan negotiations and discussed the economic and security benefits to the region if the truce with Taliban is reached, the statement said.&nbsp;

Khalilzad's visit to Pakistan came after he announced on Thursday that there is a "brief" pause in talks with the Taliban after an attack in the US military base at Bagram in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Reportedly, a suicide bomber detonated his explosive-packed vehicle near Bagram military base in Parwan province, north of the capital Kabul days after talks resumed between the US and Taliban. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the suicide blast.&nbsp;

The talks between the US and the insurgent group resumed after getting suspended in September following a fatal attack in Kabul, in which an American soldier was killed.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump on November 28 made a surprise visit to Afghanistan to celebrate Thanksgiving with US troops and meet President Ashraf Ghani.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who is negotiating US-Taliban peace talks, reached Pakistan on Friday where he briefed it about the development with the Taliban in Afghanistan, US embassy officials said.

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who is negotiating US-Taliban peace talks, reached Pakistan on Friday where he briefed it about the development with the Taliban in Afghanistan, US embassy officials said. "In his meetings with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and other government officials, Ambassador Khalilzad discussed the current status of US-Taliban talks," the statement of the US Embassy in Pakistan said. The US special representative highlighted Pakistan's support for intra-Afghan negotiations and discussed the economic and security benefits to the region if the truce with Taliban is reached, the statement said. Khalilzad's visit to Pakistan came after he announced on Thursday that there is a "brief" pause in talks with the Taliban after an attack in the US military base at Bagram in Afghanistan. Reportedly, a suicide bomber detonated his explosive-packed vehicle near Bagram military base in Parwan province, north of the capital Kabul days after talks resumed between the US and Taliban. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the suicide blast. The talks between the US and the insurgent group resumed after getting suspended in September following a fatal attack in Kabul, in which an American soldier was killed. US President Donald Trump on November 28 made a surprise visit to Afghanistan to celebrate Thanksgiving with US troops and meet President Ashraf Ghani. (with inputs from agencies)

US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad briefs Pakistan on Taliban peace talks