Kabul: The US commander of international forces in Afghanistan on Sunday hailed the achievements of 13 years of fighting against the Taliban, as NATO formally ended its war at a ceremony in Kabul.
"Together... we have lifted the Afghan people out of the darkness of despair and given them hope for the future," General John Campbell told assembled NATO soldiers.
"You've made Afghanistan stronger and our countries safer."
On January 1, the US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) combat mission, which has suffered 3,485 military deaths since 2001, will be replaced by a NATO "training and support" mission.
The ceremony was arranged in secret due to the threat of Taliban strikes in the Afghan capital, which has been hit by repeated suicide bombings and gun attacks over recent years.
"I hope you take great pride in the positive impact you've made and will continue to make upon the Afghan people," Campbell said in a speech released by ISAF on Twitter as live broadcasts were banned for security reasons.
"The road before us remains challenging, but we will triumph."
Sunday's ceremony completed the gradual handover of responsiblity to the 350,000-strong Afghan forces, who have been in charge of nationwide security since the middle of last year.
But recent bloodshed has undermined claims that the insurgency is weakening and has highlighted fears that Afghanistan faces spiralling violence.
"Together... we have lifted the Afghan people out of the darkness of despair and given them hope for the future," General John Campbell told assembled NATO soldiers.
"You've made Afghanistan stronger and our countries safer."
The ceremony was arranged in secret due to the threat of Taliban strikes in the Afghan capital, which has been hit by repeated suicide bombings and gun attacks over recent years.
Advertisement
"The road before us remains challenging, but we will triumph."
Advertisement
But recent bloodshed has undermined claims that the insurgency is weakening and has highlighted fears that Afghanistan faces spiralling violence.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
US Woman Arrested For Sitting On 10-Year-Old Foster Son, Who Died 2 Days Later US Man Jumps In Ocean To Avoid Giving Girlfriend, Cops His Phone Password US Got Intel About Iranian Plot To Kill Trump Weeks Before Rally Shooting Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai UP Banker Dies By Suicide After 6 Months Of Bullying, Body-Shaming Major Crackdown Launched On Terror Network In J&K After Doda Encounter UK's New Government Vows To Remove 92 Unelected Peers From Upper House EU's Carbon Tax Could Cost India 0.05% Of GDP: Report Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.