Australian combat troops have completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Monday, marking the end of the nation’s longest war which left 40 of its soldiers dead.
Abbott announced that more than 1,000 troops would pull out from the restive southern province of Uruzgan before the end of the year during a surprise visit to their base at Tarin Kot in October.
This war is ending, not with victory, not with defeat, but with hope that Afghanistan is a better place
The drawdown was completed on Sunday and most soldiers were expected to be home for Christmas.
“This war is ending, not with victory, not with defeat, but with hope that Afghanistan is a better place and Uruzgan in particular is a better place for our presence,” Abbott said.
“I firmly believe that to be the case.”
Canberra first committed troops to Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, but they have been in Uruzgan since late 2005.
“We know that they’ve paid a high price – 40 dead and 261 seriously wounded – but that sacrifice has not been in vain,” Abbott said, referring to the 12-year mission.
