Afghanistan–United States relations

President Barack Obama in a Christmas Day speech to US troops stationed in Hawaii hailed their "extraordinary dedication and sacrifices," as NATO prepares to wrap up its combat mission in Afghanistan.
     

Balkan forces remain in Afghanistan with new NATO mission

The region is determined to continue making contributions to global security.

The Balkan militaries will remain in Afghanistan to serve in a new NATO mission Determined Support, through which they will continue to contribute to the global war against terrorism led by the Alliance and the US.

US President Barack Obama announced on Monday a "turning point" for US military while he greeted troops returning from Afghanistan.

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The U.S. and NATO ceremonially ended their combat mission in Afghanistan on Dec. 8, 13 years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks sparked their invasion of the country to topple the Taliban-led government.
     
NATO's International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, which was in charge of combat operations, lowered its flag, formally ending its deployment.
     

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has appointed Ambassador Ä°smail Aramaz as the next NATO senior civilian representative (SCR) in Afghanistan, the alliance said in a written statement Nov 17.

Aramaz, who is currently Turkey’s ambassador to Afghanistan, is expected to take up his new post early next year, it added.

British forces Oct. 26 handed over formal control of their last base in Afghanistan to Afghan forces, ending combat operations in the country after 13 years which cost hundreds of lives.

The Union Jack was lowered at Camp Bastion in the southern province of Helmand, while the Stars and Stripes came down at the adjacent Camp Leatherneck - the last U.S. Marine base in the country.