U.S. considering substantial reduction of troops in Afghanistan: report

The United States is considering a substantial reduction of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, U.S. media reports on Thursday.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a signing ceremony for H.R. 2, the 'Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018' in Washington, U.S., December 20, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

The U.S. government would withdraw about 7,000 troops from Afghanistan in the coming months, the New York Times cited U.S. defense officials as saying.

Currently, there are more than 14,000 U.S. soldiers deployed in Afghanistan.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that the U.S. troops reduction in Afghanistan could begin in the next several weeks.

U.S troops keep watch during an official visit in Farah province, Afghanistan May 19, 2018. Picture taken May 19, 2018.[File Photo: VCG]

U.S. President Donald Trump said last year that a rapid exit of the U.S. troops from Afghanistan "unacceptable," and authorized to send more than 3,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan.

The death toll of U.S. service members in Afghanistan has surpassed 2,400 since the United States invaded the Asian country in 2001.

The drawdown, if confirmed, would follow Trump's decision to completely pull all U.S. forces out of Syria.

The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it has started returning U.S. troops home from Syria after claiming a victory in the fight against the Islamic State.

Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops in Syria was one of the reasons that led to the resignation of Defense Secretary James Mattis on Thursday, according to media reports.