Karzai Presses U.S. to Pull Troops Back to Main Afghan Bases
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Afghan President Hamid Karzai told visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that American forces must leave rural areas of Afghanistan, withdrawing to major bases, according to a statement from Karzai’s office.
“International troops should leave their bases in rural areas and villages and consolidate in their main bases,” Karzai said, according to the Pashto-language announcement posted on the Afghan presidency’s website today. While Karzai attached no deadline to the demand, he said “Afghan forces have the ability to ensure security in rural areas and villages,” according to the statement.