Australian troops 'have left Afghanistan' ahead of US pullout

The Federal Government has refused to comment on reports that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The ABC is reporting that the last remaining ADF members left the country's capital Kabul last month, ahead of a September 11 deadline announced by the United States for the withdrawal of all coalition forces.

The Defence Department has refused to confirm the formal end of its NATO-led mission to Afghanistan or comment on whether some military personnel will move elsewhere in the Middle East.

READ MORE: Taliban threat for 108 Afghans who helped ADF and Australian agencies

Australian soldiers pictured in 2008, in Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

The department website says that Australia's troop deployment to Afghanistan is about 80 personnel.

A spokesman for the Australian Defence Department would not comment on the report.

"On 15 April the Prime Minister announced Australia would finalise the drawdown of our contribution to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan," the spokesman told nine.com.au.

"As Australia brings its contribution in Afghanistan to a close, the Minister for Defence will be delivering remarks on Australia's role in the days ahead.

"For operational security reasons, we will not provide further details at this time."

READ MORE: Afghans who helped the US now fear for their lives as withdrawal looms

The ADF lost 41 members in almost 20 years of deployment to the war-ravaged country.

Fighting between Taliban militants and Afghan forces in recent weeks has resulted in many government-held districts being captured by the Taliban.



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