The Netherlands has begun withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, ending ended its mission there after four years.
The deployment of nearly 2000 troops began in 2006 and has cost the lives of 24 soldiers.
The Netherlands was the lead nation in the southern province of Uruzgan.
Its troops will be replaced by an American-led coalition force including Australian, Slovak and Singaporean soldiers.
The pullout is the first significant drawdown of troops from the Afghan war, now in its ninth year.
Canada is set to withdraw its entire force next year, while Britain and the US have signalled that some troops will also leave in 2011 with an overall aim to end combat operations in 2014.
The withdrawal comes as Taliban-led violence worsens. United States forces have just suffered their worst month for casualties.
NATO and the United States have close to 150,000 troops in the country.
