A U.S. official say American troops have begun leaving Afghanistan for the initial troop withdrawal required in the U.S.-Taliban peace agreement.

The official said Monday that hundreds of troops are heading out of the country and will not be replaced as the U.S. moves ahead with plans to cut the number of forces in the country from about 13,000 to 8,600.

The official spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the movement ahead of an official announcement.

Under the agreement, the U.S. troop withdrawal had to begin with 10 days after the peace deal was signed on Feb. 29. 

If the Taliban meet their commitments, all U.S. troops would leave in 14 months.

The U.S. invaded Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to overthrow the Taliban, who had hosted Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida as they planned and celebrated the assault.

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