Russia says Islamic State building up forces in N. Afghanistan as NATO exits: Ifax

Islamic State is actively gaining territory in Afghanistan amid troops withdrawal, says the Russian foreign minister

KABUL/ MOSCOW:

The Islamic State militants are building up their forces in northern Afghanistan as US and NATO troops leave the country and it's a worry for Moscow, the Interfax news agency cited Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying on Friday.

He said Islamic State was actively gaining territory in Afghanistan amid the withdrawal and what he described as the "irresponsible" stance taken by officials in Kabul.

Complete Afghan withdrawal imminent as last US troops leave Bagram

Earlier, a US defence official told AFP on Friday that all US and NATO troops have left the biggest airbase in Afghanistan, signalling the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from the country was imminent after two decades of war.

Bagram Air Base served as the linchpin for US-led operations in the rugged country, where the long war against the Taliban and their Al-Qaeda allies started in 2001 following the September 11 attacks.

"All coalition forces are off Bagram," said the official -- who asked not to be identified -- without specifying when the last foreign troops left the base, 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of the capital Kabul.

He did not say when it would be officially handed over to Afghan forces, but ministry of defence spokesperson Rohullah Ahmadzai said government authorities were "fully prepared" to take over the base.

Read more: Western forces pack up to end their war, Afghans 'manage the consequences'

The Taliban said it welcomed and supported the latest phase of the troop pullout.

"Their full withdrawal will pave the way for Afghans to decide about their future between themselves," spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said.

The US military and NATO are in the final stages of winding up involvement in Afghanistan, bringing home an unspecified number of remaining troops by a deadline of September 11.