WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has approved drawdown plans in Afghanistan thatwill still keep two larger bases in the country as officials carry outPresident Donald Trump’s orders to slash troop levels to 2,500 by Jan. 15,the top U.S. general said on Wednesday.

Trump’s post-election decision last month to cut nearly half of the roughly4,500 troops currently in Afghanistan came before military leaders coulddevise plans to execute a drawdown, leaving many questions unanswered aboutthe future U.S. military mission after Trump leaves office on Jan. 20.

Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, offeredthe first details about the drawdown at an event hosted by the BrookingsInstitution think tank.

He said that in addition to the two larger bases, the United States wouldalso keep “several satellite bases.”