(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Washington, July 07 (QNA) - U.S. President Barack Obama has announced that close to 8,400 troops will stay in Afghanistan through January 2017.
Obama made the decision after consulting with the new U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Army Gen. John Nicholson; his national security team; Congress and allies, according to U.S. Department of Defense website.
Pegging the number at 8,400 troops will allow the United States "to continue to provide tailored support to help Afghan forces continue to improve," the U.S. president said.
Obama''s announcement comes shortly before he departs for the NATO Summit in Warsaw, Poland, July 8-9, where leaders will discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
The first U.S. troops went into Afghanistan in October 2001 after the 9/11 attacks in the United States. (QNA)