PARIS: France has ended its combat operations in Afghanistan, fulfilling promises to leave before other NATO allies.

After a handover ceremony with Afghan troops, 500 French combat soldiers in trucks and armoured vehicles left the Nijrab base in the Kapisa region – where anti-government insurgents have been active – and travelled to Kabul, the capital.

France was once one of the largest contributors to the Nato mission in Afghanistan, with a peak deployment of 4000 troops.