Almost 10,000 US Troops Will Stay in Afghanistan

The United States will keep its 9,800 troops stationed in Afghanistan after a meeting Tuesday between U.S. President Barack Obama and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

“Based on President Ghani's request for flexibility in the U.S. drawdown timeline, the U.S. will maintain its current posture of 9,800 troops through the end of 2015,” the White House said. 

The Obama administration had planned to reduce its troop presence in Afghanistan from some 9,800 to about 5,500 by the end of 2015, but will now postpone the drawback depending on the conditions on the ground, as a joint statement released by both governments explained.

The Afghan president praised the U.S. troops during a visit to the Pentagon Monday, where he spoke to more than 200 war veterans ahead of the meeting with President Obama.

“Each one of you has left a legacy, but I also understand that Afghanistan has marked you … thank you,” Ghani said, during an emotive speech.

U.S. Congress members had pressured the Obama administration to keep military presence in the Middle Eastern country.

Analysts believe the reason for delaying the draw down of U.S. forces is an uncertain security situation in the country and concerns about the threat of the Islamic State group that has been gaining ground in Iraq and Syria since last year.