US begins withdrawing troops from Afghanistan

American forces to reduce to 8,600 over next several months amid political turmoil

American troops have begun withdrawing from Afghanistan following a US-Taliban deal, which would cut the number of US forces in the country from more than 13,000 to 8,600 over the next several months.

The withdrawal announcement arrives amid a spike in violence following nearly 20 years of war and occupation from American troops.

On Monday, the country's duelling leaders each named themselves president, potentially creating a chaotic American exit following negotiations that have given US officials their best chance to leave the region after a seemingly endless war.

A historic agreement between the US and Taliban officials outlines plans to the eventual drawdown of all American forces from the area within the next 14 months if the Taliban maintains the agreement.

The US "maintains all the military means and authorities to accomplish our objectives" - including counterterrorism operations in the region against al-Qaeda and Isis - while "providing support to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces," according to a statement from US Forces Afghanistan spokesman Col Sonny Leggett.

He said the agreement is "on track to meet directed force levels while retaining the necessary capabilities."

Pentagon officials have previously said the Taliban's conditions are classified, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hasn't detailed plans for the release of Taliban prisoners and whether prisoner exchanges are able to take place.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper had announced the approval of the peace agreement on 2 March, and the withdrawal was scheduled to begin within 10 days of its signing.

The peace deal followed a seven-day "reduction in violence" that glimpsed conditions for formal negotiation.

At a Pentagon press conference last week, Secretary Esper said the violence reduction is likely to continue but "I'm not going to get too exited about what happens at the moment. We're just going to deal with each situation as it arises."

While US officials begin the withdrawal, Afghan officials are set to begin negotiations on Tuesday to ease tensions between the Taliban and Afghan forces.

Despite the instability of Afghanistan's leadership, the agreement isn't tied to its outcome but rather the prevention of "any group or individual, including al-Qaida, from using the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of the United States and its allies."