(VOVworld) - Afghanistan has assumed full responsibility for security from foreign combat troops departing after a 13-year military mission.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani marked the formal transition on Thursday during a speech at the Presidential Palace in Kabul (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani marked the formal transition on Thursday during a speech at the Presidential Palace in Kabul. He said: "I want to congratulate my people today that Afghan forces are now able to take full security responsibility in protecting their country's soil and sovereignty". The transition of security responsibility from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the Afghan National Security Forces has lasted for 3 and a half years, starting from July, 2011. After finishing its military mission in Afghanistan, NATO will leave only 12,000 soldiers there who mainly get involved in consulting and training for Afghanistan’s security forces.