CRI听力:American-UK Coalition Troops Withdraw from Afghanistan

The last U.S. Marine unit and British combat troops in Afghanistan have officially ended their operations, 13 years after overrunning the Taliban.

The UK and American troops have transferred control of a military base in the province of Helmand to the Afghan military.

Afghan Defense Ministry spokesperson General Zahir Azimi.

"We definitely welcome this act, which puts our capabilities into practice. Afghan security forces have been leading the fight in ground operations in the country for two years now," he said.

British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon was on-hand to see the power transfer take place.

"There is a better chance of a more stable future in Afghanistan because we have a government there of national unity and an army that is supported by the local population that represents all parts of Afghanistan. And an army that's already proved itself over the last couple of years and therefore there is a greater chance that Afghanistan will be more secure."

The Afghan National Army Corps will be headquartered at the base in Helmand, leaving almost no foreign military presence in the province.

NATO troops are due to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of the year.

The United States is set to leave a few thousand troops in the country to help train and assist the Afghan national army.