On Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman announced that the United States has upheld its commitment made in the Feb. 29 Taliban peace deal to draw down U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

“As stipulated in the agreement, the United States agreed to reduce its forces in Afghanistan to 8,600 and withdraw from five bases,” he stated, adding, “We have met this obligation. We maintain the capabilities and authorities necessary to protect ourselves, our allies and partners, and U.S. national interests.“