Australia to pull remaining troops out of Afghanistan

Australia would complete its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in September in line with the United States and other allies, the prime minister said on Thursday.

Australia's contribution to the NATO-led mission had once exceeded 1,500 personnel, but only 80 remain.

The last remaining Australian troops will depart Afghanistan in September, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, without nominating a day.

Morrison's announcement comes after US President Joe Biden revealed plans to withdraw the last 2,500 US troops from Afghanistan before the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States that triggered the campaign.

More than 39,000 Australian military personnel have served in Afghanistan since 2001, and 41 have been killed there.