Canada on Wednesday formally ended military operations in Afghanistan when a small training mission closed in Kabul three years after its combat troops withdrew from action. Canada initially committed troops to Afghanistan in 2001 and was involved in heavy fighting against Taliban militants in the violent south of the country until 2011.
"Today, after more than 12 years and the deployment of over 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members, our mission in Afghanistan has come to a close," said General Tom Lawson, chief of the defence staff. "We look back on our mission with pride, knowing that through our efforts we have helped Afghans to gain the hope of a brighter and more secure future."
A flag-lowering ceremony was held at the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) headquarters in Kabul. Around 160 Canadians have lost their lives in the conflict, according to Canadian officials.
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