Canada ends combat mission in Afghanistan

KANDAHAR: Canada ended its combat mission in Afghanistan on Thursday, closing the curtain after nine years and the death of 157 men, saying it was "extremely proud" of gains made against the Taliban.

The departure of nearly 3,000 troops, who took on some of the heaviest fighting in the southern province of Kandahar, comes as western forces begin to announce gradual drawdown of troops ahead of a full withdrawal in 2014.