U.S., NATO end 13 year combat mission in Afghanistan

The United States and NATO have ended their combat mission in Afghanistan more than 13 years after invading the country in the aftermath of 9/11 to target al Qaeda militants and Osama Bin Laden.

NATO's International Security Assistance Force's Joint Command, in charge of combat missions, lowered its flag on Monday and formally ended its deployment, reported Fox News.

The violence is believed to continue as U.S. President Barack Obama allows American troops to go after both al Qaeda and Taliban militants in the country into next year.

Afghan political analyst Wahid Muzhdah said that the war is unlikely to stop during the winter as attacks on cities are not contingent on the weather.

U.S. General John F. Campbell said that the Afghan security forces are capable and that they have to make changes in the leadership and hold people accountable.

A NATO official said that up to 10,800 U.S. troops will remain in Afghanistan for the first three months of next year, 1,000 more than previously planned.