Coalition troops in Afghanistan commemorate the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
The 9/11 attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 Americans in 2001, prompted the U.S. to retaliate against Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network and its Afghan ally the Taliban.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. DEPUTY COMMANDING GENERAL, BRIGADIER GENERAL RICKY GIBBS, SAYING:
"Since 9/11 we have not lost our focus. We remained vigilant as we perform our duty in the service of our nation. We made the sacrifices required to defeat extremism, and to bring the evil-doers to justice."
The general continued saying the troops are there to ensure Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for militants.
But residents of Kabul have mixed feelings about the presence of U.S. forces in their country.
This university student says the situation in Afghanistan is better than it was 11 years before, with Afghan migrants returning to the country amid renewed security and job growth.
Another Kabul resident disagrees, saying the Americans are not there to benefit Afghanistan and have only brought misery and war.
Violence in Afghanistan is at its worst since the Islamists were toppled by Afghan and U.S. forces in late 2001.
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