Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller on Tuesday confirmed plans to reduce US troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying the decision is in line with President Donald Trump's pledge to bring forces home, although Republicans and US allies have warned against a rash withdrawal.
The new plan will accelerate troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan in Trump's final days in office, despite arguments from senior military officials in favour of a slower, more methodical pullout. Trump has refused to concede his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, who takes office on January 20, just five days after the troop withdrawals are slated to finish.
![Trump has refused to concede his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, who takes office Jan. 20, just five days after the troop withdrawals are slated to finish. Photo / AP.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/5XXCEXSQLAXAZD7P6I2ZZ5LBKY.jpg?auth=894049a05d027eac8e7ea31744137e95388e1b0ef2613b8348361f069bd73941&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
Miller, who refused to take questions from reporters, said the plan will cut the number of troops in Afghanistan from more than 4500 to 2500, and in Iraq from about 3000 to 2500. Miller added that the US remains ready to respond if conditions deteriorate.
"If the forces of terror, instability, division and hate begin a deliberate campaign to disrupt our efforts, we stand ready to apply the capabilities required to thwart them," he said in a roughly eight-minute statement to reporters in the Pentagon briefing room.