President Barack Obama makes a statement on Afghanistan from the Roosevelt Room of the White House. Photo: AP

Washington: President Barack Obama said he planned to leave 8400 American troops in Afghanistan until the end of his term, further slowing the drawdown in a 14-year war that Obama pledged to end on his watch but now seems likely to grind on indefinitely.

Acknowledging that the Taliban had retaken territory and were terrorising the population, Obama said on Wednesday he was again adjusting his plan to withdraw US forces. The announcement will leave his successor with a substantial military commitment in the country, though far less than the nearly 40,000 troops deployed there when he took office.

"The security situation in Afghanistan remains precarious," Obama said from the Roosevelt Room of the White House. "Even as they improve, Afghan security forces are still not as strong as they need to be." Those troops, he said, had not been able to quell a string of attacks and suicide bombings, including in the capital, Kabul.

Afghan men attend Eid al-Fitr prayers outside of Shah-e-Dushamshera mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo: AP

The United States has close to 10,000 soldiers in Afghanistan, where they train and equip Afghan forces and carry out counterterrorism operations. When he last tinkered with the drawdown schedule, Obama said he hoped to reduce that number to 5500 by early 2017.

Now, more than 8,000 troops will remain, and it will be up to Obama's successor to order any further reductions. The president recently loosened the rules of engagement for US troops to give them the ability to fight the Taliban directly and more flexibility to carry out air strikes or wage ground combat.

Obama cast his decision as a vote of confidence in Afghanistan's government, led by President Ashraf Ghani, as well as in the support of NATO members and other partners, who have contributed 6000 troops. But it also underscores the fact that American hopes of building an Afghan force capable of securing the entire country had fallen short.

"We have to deal with the realities of the world as it is," said Obama, who was flanked by Defence Secretary Ash Carter and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph F. Dunford Jr.

"It is going to continue to take time to build up military capacity that we sometimes take for granted. Given the enormous challenges they face, the Afghan people will need the partnership of the world, led by the United States, for many years to come."

Obama announced the decision a day before leaving for a NATO summit meeting in Warsaw. Administration officials said the timing was intended to clarify American intentions and demonstrate that the United States was committed to Afghanistan.

The president made the decision, which was very closely held, after a lengthy internal debate, and based on a recommendation from the US commander in Afghanistan, General John W. Nicholson Jr.

Keeping 8400 troops in the field, a senior administration official said, would allow US forces there to advise Afghan commanders "at the two- and three-star level out in the field" over a sustained period, something that would not have been possible at lower troop levels. The number represents a slight decline from the 9800 troops currently deployed.

New York Times