US lowers troops in Iraq and Afghanistan to 2,500

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US has decreased the number of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan to 2,500, accomplishing a key goal of President Donald Trump as he prepares to leave office next week, the Pentagon announced Friday.

The drawdowns may run afoul of Congress, which just two weeks ago prohibited the Pentagon from using funds allocated this year or last to decrease its forces levels below 4,000 in Afghanistan as part of its annual defense spending bill.

Acting Secretary Christopher Miller confirmed the lower levels in separate statements. He said the Iraq drawdown is "consistent" with the US-led anti-Daesh coalition's shift away from major combat operations.

In Afghanistan he said the US is "closer than ever to ending nearly two decades of war and welcoming in an Afghan-owned, Afghan-led peace process."