Afghanistan: US troops depart Bagram Airfield after nearly 20 years

The air base was once the epicenter of the US military's operations in Afghanistan. As foreign troops continue to withdraw, fears of a civil war "of concern to the world" mount.(PIC-UNI)

After 20 years, US forces packed their bags and materiel on Friday and vacated Bagram Airfield, officials told news agencies.

The base was the epicenter of the US-led war in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

What we know so far

An US defense official who declined to be named told AFP, "All coalition forces are off Bagram."

As of this week, 19 nations announced the withdrawal of their troops, totaling 4,800 soldiers. On Wednesday, Germany and Italy declared the end of their mission in Afghanistan and Poland brought all their troops home.

It is unclear whether the base has been handed over to the Afghan National Security and Defense Force, with AP reporting it has been and AFP uncertain about the handover.

US General Austin Miller gave his final press conference earlier this week. In it, he painted a grim picture of the security situation in the country.

Citing numerous fallen districts, General Miller said, "a civil war is certainly a path that can be visualized if this continues on the trajectory it's on right now, that should be of concern to the world.'' (AP, AFP, Reuters)