Final US military withdrawal from Afghanistan formally under way

US Black Hawk military helicopters fly over the Afghan capital (AP)

The final phase of ending America’s “forever war” in Afghanistan after 20 years is formally under way, with the withdrawal of the last US and Nato troops due to be completed by the end of summer.

US president Joe Biden had set May 1 as the official start of the withdrawal of the remaining forces — about 2,500-3,500 US troops and 7,000 Nato soldiers.