Acting Defense Secretary Christopher C. Miller announces cuts to US troop levels in Afghanistan and Iraq during a briefing at the Pentagon. Credit: Air Force Staff Sgt. Jackie Sanders, DOD.

US Department of Defense Acting Defense Secretary Christopher C Miller has announced that the US will reduce the troops from Afghanistan and Iraq.

Miller announced at a Pentagon briefing room that troops will be reduced to 2,500 each by 15 January.

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Currently, around 4,500 US service members are present in Afghanistan and 3,000 in Iraq.

The decision is said to be in accordance with the current US President’s plans to bring US forces back home from the ‘forever wars’.

Another senior defence official stated that the US President has planned to withdraw forces, and one condition was that the safety and security of the US would not be affected.

Although the official added that some conditions in the two countries would have to be met, he declined to elaborate further.

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The US forces in the two countries will have to be able to carry out the missions with no adverse impact on the capabilities, according to the official.

Over 6,900 Americans have died during their service in the wars and 52,000 troops were wounded.

Miller said: “In light of these tremendous sacrifices, and with great humility and gratitude to those who came before us, I am formally announcing that we will implement President Trump’s orders to continue our repositioning of forces from those two countries.

“This is consistent with our established plans and strategic objectives, supported by the American people, and does not equate to a change in policy or objectives.”

“We will execute this repositioning in a way that protects our fighting men and women, our partners in the intelligence community and diplomatic corps, and our superb allies that are critical to rebuilding Afghan and Iraqi security capabilities and civil society for lasting peace in troubled lands.”