U.S to cut troops in both Afghanistan and Iraq by January

The Pentagon has announced that per President Trump's orders a portion of U.S troops in Afghanistan and Iraq will be returning home by January 15.

US soldiers attend a training session for the Afghan army in Herat, Afghanistan in February 2019 [Jalil Rezayee/EPA-EFE]

According to the acting secretary of defense, from the 4,500 soldiers stationed in Iraq, 2,000 will be returning. While in Afrpgnaistn, out of the 3,000 forces stationed there, 500 will be recalled.

"The moves reflect Trump’s policy “to bring the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to a successful and responsible conclusion and to bring our brave service members home,” Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller said.

Politicians within the Republican Party have criticized the move, especially the withdrawal in Afghanistan, saying the exit tragedy is too drastic and might embolden militant groups to rise up from the shadows and turn back all the progress made in the U.S' war against terror.

Instead, Republicans are encouraging the president to make a more gradual exit strategy--and by doing so avoiding the errors President Obama made when he pulled U.S troops out of Iraq too quickly, and consequently created a breeding ground for ISIS.

Not too long after the announcement, four rockets, from Iranian-backed militias, struck Baghdad's Green Zone-- home to Iraq's government, diplomatic housing compounds and the U.S Embassy.

By: Niza Nondo