After thirteen years and more than 2,200 American lives, President Obama ends the American war in Afghanistan

After thirteen years and more than 2,200 American lives, the American war in Afghanistan has ended, President Barack Obama said on December 28.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - A written statement published by the president revealed that the U.S. is formally ending combat operations there. While 10,000 American military members will remain in Afghanistan for the foreseeable future-and at least until 2016-America's longest war is over, officially.

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"Our personnel will continue to face risks, but this reflects the enduring commitment of the United States to the Afghan people and to a united, secure and sovereign Afghanistan that is never again used as a source of attacks against our nation," the President said.

At one point, 150,000 U.S. military personnel were in Afghanistan.

Marking the announcement, a ceremony was held in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, the same day. The commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) officially marked the end of the coalition's war by rolling up the ISAF flag.

"Our courageous military and diplomatic personnel in Afghanistan-along with our NATO allies and coalition partners-have helped the Afghan people reclaim their communities, take the lead for their own security, hold historic elections and complete the first democratic transfer of power in their country's history," the President continued.

Much of 2013 and 2014 was spent getting American military forces ready to leave the country. Earlier this year, U.S. Marines turned over control of Camp Leatherneck to Afghan security forces, ending almost seven years of fierce fighting in Helmand province.

In May, Obama announced that by January 15, all American combat troops would be out of the country, a plan he reaffirmed at Fort Dix in New Jersey, earlier this month.

"Afghanistan is still a very dangerous place," he said. "But I want you, and every American who has served in Afghanistan, to be proud of what you've accomplished there."

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