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President Obama addressed American troops in Hawaii on Christmas, a week before the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan ends. (Reuters)

HONOLULU President Obama marked the end of the U.S. military's combat mission in Afghanistan on Sunday, saying that 13 years after the war began it is coming to a "responsible conclusion" as American forces draw down to a minimal presence in that country.

Obama acknowledged in a written statement that Afghanistan remains "a dangerous place" and that the 10,800 U.S. personnel who will remain mostly in an advisory and training role will continue to face risks.

But in thanking the troops, intelligence officers and diplomatic officials for their service, Obama said that the United States is safer and more secure and that Afghanistan will take the lead in ensuring its own security.

"We honor the profound sacrifices that have made this progress possible," said Obama, who delivered a similar message last week on a Christmas visit to speak with troops at a U.S. Marine base on Oahu, where he is on vacation. "We salute every American military and civilian, including our dedicated diplomats and development workers who have served in Afghanistan, many on multiple tours, just as their families have sacrificed at home."

Obama's statement came hours after the United States and NATO held a ceremony in Kabul to mark the end of the combat mission. The president, who took office on a pledge to end the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, said he had largely done so, despite authorizing American airstrikes on the Islamic State militant group in Iraq and Syria.

"These past 13 years have tested our nation and our military," he said. "But compared to the nearly 180,000 American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan when I took office, we now have fewer than 15,000 in those countries. Some 90 percent of our troops are home."

Although Kabul has experienced an increase in violence in recent months, Obama emphasized the progress made in fighting terrorists responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, including killing Osama bin Laden and killing and capturing other al-Qaeda leaders.

He also vowed to take care of veterans, promising them "the world-class care and treatment they have earned."

Most of all, Obama said, "we remember the more than 2,200 American patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan, and we pledge to stand with their Gold Star families, who need the everlasting love and support of a grateful nation."

Excerpt from:
Obama: Afghanistan war coming to responsible conclusion

At the end of President Obama's sixth year in office, the commander in chief who once vowed to end America's longest period of war still maintains thousands of troops in Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts that refuse to conform to neat White House timetables.

The end of this year marks an end to the official combat role for the U.S. in Afghanistan. As 2015 dawns, U.S. troops transition to a training and support role, even as the Taliban is increasing its attacks. And in Iraq, more U.S. troops will be on the way to a war that was supposed to be over, at least as far as the U.S. goes.

Obama long ago recognized, at least privately, that in seeking to extricate American troops from wars abroad, he was not ending those conflicts, only America's involvement in them. But even that goal has proved stubbornly elusive.

Here's a primer on what lies ahead in 2015 for the Pentagon in both places:

Hasn't Obama succeeded in shrinking the U.S. military presence?

Yes. In Afghanistan, the U.S. has carried out a major withdrawal over the last two years, shrinking its troop presence from about 100,000 at the height of the war to 10,800 today. That's the level authorized by the White House through early next spring, when it is due to drop again, to 9,800. All U.S. troops are due to leave by the end of 2016, except a small contingent attached to the U.S. Embassy.

But Iraq has shown how hard it is to follow such timetables. The U.S. pulled all its troops out in December 2011. But last August, Obama announced plans to send about 1,500 troops back when Islamic State militants swept in from Syria and took control of large parts of the country. Obama recently decided to roughly double the U.S. troop level to 3,100. Thousands more are supporting the effort from bases in the region.

What are the troops doing?

A mix of missions. In Afghanistan, they work with military advisors from other countries to help train Afghan security forces, especially the nation's still primitive air force. The goal is to professionalize a force that has shown a capability to fight but remains far from capable of sustaining itself over the long term. Most U.S. troops work at large bases in the country's east and south, not at combat outposts.

Despite White House insistence that the U.S. combat role is over, the troops could be forced to help defend the bases from insurgent attacks. About 4,000 special operations troops will continue to carry out raids against the remnants of Al Qaeda and their supporters. And U.S. forces will have authority to assist the Afghan military with airstrikes, supplies and even ground forces if it is in danger of a major defeat by insurgents.

Read more:
What lies ahead for U.S. military in Afghanistan, Iraq

KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. led, 13-year war in Afghanistan was declared over by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

NATO announced Sunday that the war will transition into a non-combat role for NATO and officially end Wednesday. About 12,000 NATO and partner-nation personnel will remain to "train, advise and assist" Afghanistan's 350,000 soldiers. The new mission, "Resolute Support," will also concentrate on counter-terrorism.

Violence continued in the country as seven people were killed and five were injured in separate attacks on the same day of the announcement ceremony.

"At the end of this year, we complete our combat mission in Afghanistan and open a new chapter in our relationship," Stoltenberg said. "Many challenges remain, and there is much work still to do. The Afghan security forces will continue to need our help as they develop."

Airstrikes and limited combat support to Afghan forces will continue with President Barack Obama's approval during the new mission. Remaining service members are expected to gradually withdraw, fully leaving the country by the end of 2016.

Formally known as Operation Enduring Freedom, the war has claimed the lives of 2,356 U.S. and 1,129 coalition military personnel.

This year, more than 4,634 Afghan soldiers have died and the United Nations recorded almost 10,000 civilian deaths and injuries.

2014 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

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War in Afghanistan ends combat formally, enters new phase

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