One step ahead of head of other US allies, Australia pulled out its last batch of troops from Afghanistan on Sunday. Mainly stationed in volatile province of Uruzgan, 40 Australian troops were killed and 261 other seriously injured since 2001 in Afghanistan. The sacrifice has absolutely not gone in vain and should be admired, although Uruzgan continues to remain under the influence of Taliban terrorists. Withdrawal of last group of Australian combat troops takes place at times when the international military base at Tarin Kot the center of Uruzgan province which was Australia's main base in the country has also been closed.

The Australian troops have left but Uruzgan continues to remain insecure. In 2006, Taliban’s operations started growing across many parts of the country including provinces such as Uruzgan, Kandahar and Helmand. It was the international troops that, in cooperation with Afghan security forces, launched a number of crucial operations against militants. As a result of their operation, Taliban’s momentum was reversed and many of them had to flee to the areas that were considered their safe havens.

"This war is ending, not with victory, not with defeat, but with hope that Afghanistan is a better place and Uruzgan in particular is a better place for our presence," Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said. "I firmly believe that to be the case." One can easily imagine what would be the condition of Uruzgan today if Australian troops were not deployed there. Without their support, it would be more than difficult for the Afghan security forces to be able to take over security responsibilities of the province.

Australia’s non-combat support to Afghanistan National Army will continue. Around 400 of the 1,550 Australian military personnel in Afghanistan will remain through next year to train the Afghan military in Kabul and Kandahar. Such trainings are deemed crucial for Afghan army and police. With the withdrawal of most of US-led forces from Afghanistan, it will be Afghanistan National Security Forces (ANSF) that will be fully in charge of security and defense of the country. However, to nurture more and become more professional, they need long term trainings in various areas.

Over the next one year, Afghanistan will say good-bye, one by one, to other countries’ troops as well. Afghanistan is much different from the Afghanistan that was ruled by Taliban. This development has been possible with sacrifices of international troops. Australian military played well in Afghanistan.