SYDNEY — Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott made a surprise visit to Afghanistan to declare an end to his country’s longest war. Abbott said the return to Australia of more than 1,000 troops before Christmas would be “bittersweet” because Afghanistan remained a dangerous place where many foreign soldiers had died.
Speaking at a special ceremony at the Australian-run base in Tarin Kot in Uruzgan province, Prime Minister Abbott announced the end of his nation’s longest military engagement.
Canberra will order home about 1,000 troops by the end of the year, although Abbott has pledged to support Afghanistan in the future.
There is a commitment to train Afghan National Security Forces and several hundred Australians will continue to serve in non-combat roles in the country.
Abbott hopes the U.S.-led campaign will leave a positive legacy in Afghanistan.
Source: VOA News
