CRI听力:US-led Coalition in Afghanistan Ends Combat Mission

The American-led coalition in Afghanistan has officially ended its combat mission after 13 years of war and the toppling of the former Taliban government.
 
US Army General John Campbell is the commander of the international security assistance force.

"Today marks an end of an era and the beginning of a new one. Today NATO completes its combat mission, a 13-year endeavor filled with significant achievements and tremendous sacrifice, especially by the thousands of coalition and Afghan army and police wounded...who gave so much to build a brighter future for this war-torn land."

He added that combat operations will continue, but the coalition's next two year mission, known as Resolute Support, will focus on training.

The Obama administration said earlier this month it would leave behind a residual U.S. force of just over 10-thousand troops for at least the first few months of 2015 to help provide support to Afghan security forces.

The conflict has claimed the lives of more than 2,000 U.S. military personnel.

Over 3,100 civilians have been killed in Afghanistan in 2014.