President Trump makes surprise visit to US troops in Afghanistan

President Donald Trump made an unannounced visit to US troops in Afghanistan – his first time in the country – for the Thanksgiving holiday. During the brief appearance at Bagram Airfield, Mr Trump served turkey to soldiers, posed for photographs, and met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

In a speech to troops, Mr Trump said the US was in talks with the Taliban, which he said “wants to make a deal”. Mr Trump also said the US was “substantially” reducing troop numbers.

Some 13,000 US troops remain in Afghanistan 18 years after the US intervention to oust the Taliban following the 11 September 2001 attacks.