Military commanders are awaiting a formal order as President Donald Trump appears to be following through on his threat to withdraw all United States troops from Afghanistan.
The US has already essentially halved its military presence in the region, downsizing from 8500 troops to 4500, with a new order expected to see only 2500 troops remaining by January 15.
A full withdrawal would come four months later.
The decision comes just a week after the president sacked his Secretary of Defence Mark Esper, and has prompted several Republicans to speak out against the plan.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said “the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan now would hurt our allies and delight, delight the people who wish us harm.”
Similarly, Senate Armed Services Committee Angus King urged against the decision, saying there was an ongoing terrorism mission over there.
“If we pull out our troops unilaterally between now and Christmas … that mission is essentially compromised and we’re right back where we were in 2001,” he said.
The New York Times reported Mr Trump also wanted to strike Iran’s major nuclear site last week but was talked out of it by senior advisors who warned it could escalate into a broader conflict.
