New Zealand announced that its military presence in Afghanistan, which has lasted for two decades, will officially end in May when its last remaining soldiers leave the country.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated in a statement: "After 20 years of New Zealand defense forces being in Afghanistan, it is time to conclude our deployment." She considered that the ongoing peace process in Doha between Kabul and the Taliban insurgents is the optimal opportunity to achieve a permanent political solution to the Afghan conflict, asserting that the presence of New Zealand troops in the country is no longer necessary. In her statement, Ardern noted that "our deployment in Afghanistan has been one of the longest in our history," remembering the ten New Zealanders who were killed in the country over the past two decades. The Prime Minister clarified that the decision to end New Zealand's military presence in Afghanistan was made in consultation with "key partners."
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also remarked this week that the alliance would withdraw its forces from Afghanistan only "when the time is right." Defense ministers from NATO member countries are set to meet this week to discuss the future of the training mission being conducted by the alliance in Afghanistan, which includes 9,600 military personnel from 36 member or partner countries.
It is noteworthy that since 2001, approximately 3,500 New Zealanders have served in Afghanistan, including personnel from special forces, reconstruction teams, and trainers. However, this military presence has gradually decreased in recent years and currently consists of only six military personnel: three at the Afghan Military Academy and three at NATO headquarters. Under a historic agreement made between Washington and the Taliban in Doha in February 2020, the United States pledged to withdraw all its forces from Afghanistan by May 2021, in exchange for commitments from the Taliban, particularly regarding security guarantees. On January 15, Washington reduced its number of troops in Afghanistan to 2,500, the lowest level of American forces in the country since 2001. However, the new administration under President Joe Biden is reviewing the agreement made with the Taliban at a time when violence in Afghanistan is escalating.
