The 107-strong 12th Croatian contingent left on Friday from the Pleso Airforce base to join he NATO Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan.

They are set to relieve the 11th contingent and take part in the training and assisting the Afghan army, police, and special forces, as well as protecting advisers and performing medical duties.

The contingent was seen off by the Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Robert Hranj, the President’s defence advisor Dragan Lozancic, and US Ambassador to Croatia Robert Kohorst.

More than 5,500 Croatian troops have been deployed to Afghanistan since Croatia joined the Resolute Support mission in 2003.

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic who, as Commander-in-Chief, signed off on the decision, said on Friday that this is probably the last Croatian contingent to be sent to Afghanistan.

“I did not want to bring down the system that has been built over the last 16 years and refuse to sign this decision only two weeks after assuming office,” he said, adding however that “in light of the deal struck between the USA and the Taliban forces, our work there is done.”

The USA and the Taliban signed an agreement on Saturday, outlining commitments on both sides which aim to ultimately result in the withdrawal of US troops and its allies from Afghanistan after 18 years of conflict.

Milanovic, who advocated for the withdrawal of Croatian troops from Afghanistan throughout his presidential campaign late last year, said on Friday that the decision to withdraw Croatian troops from the country has to be made by Croatian politicians.

“Not the military, not our allies, not NATO or the US on our behalf, not without our knowledge during negotiations we had no idea were taking place,” he said. “We’ve done our fair share as part of that mission, and our army is needed here.”

Defence Minister, Damir Krsticevic, said that the US-Taliban agreement was a very good step towards ending the years-long conflict.

“Taking into consideration primarily our national interests and the safety of our soldiers, but also having in mind NATO’s plans, we will make a political decision depending on further developments, and it will be announced by the President and the Prime Minister,” he said.