ABC News Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? OffOn As US troops prepare to pull out, a look at the war in Afghanistan by the numbers Biden to announce that U.S. troops will pull out by 20th anniversary of Sept. 11 • 9 min read US defense chief makes surprise Afghanistan visit Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan as the U.S. nears a May 1 deadline to withdraw American troops from the country. Massoud Hossaini/AFP via Getty Images, FILE President Joe Biden is expected to announce on Wednesday that all American troops will withdraw from Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.