US troop surge in Afghanistan accomplished its objectives: US

The last of the 33,000 American surge troops sent to Afghanistan nearly two years ago have left the battlefields of Afghanistan, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has said, calling it an important milestone in the war against terrorism.

With the departure of the last of the surge troops, there are now 68,000 American troops in Afghanistan.

"This week, the ongoing effort in Afghanistan marked an important milestone:  the United States military has completed drawing down the surge forces President Obama committed in December of 2009, reducing our presence by 33,000 troops on schedule," Panetta said in a late night statement.

"As we reflect on this moment, it is an opportunity to recognise that the surge accomplished its objectives of reversing Taliban momentum on the battlefield, and dramatically increased the size and capability of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF)," he said.

This growth, he said, has allowed the US and its ISAF coalition partners to begin the process of transition to Afghan security lead, which will soon extend across every province and more than 75 per cent of the Afghan population.

"At the same time, we have struck enormous blows against al Qaeda's leadership, consistent with our core goal of disrupting, dismantling and defeating al Qaeda and denying it a safe-haven," he said.

"It is important to underscore that even as our surge troops return home, there are roughly 68,000 Americans who remain in a tough fight in Afghanistan, alongside their NATO and Afghan partners. We are a nation at war," Panetta said.