Afghan retreat: US formally withdrawing from its longest war

The exit of US forces has only exacerbated the fear felt by ordinary Afghans

The prospect of an end of 20 years of US presence comes despite fighting raging across the countryside

The United States formally begins withdrawing its last troops from Afghanistan Saturday, bringing its longest war nearer to an end but also heralding an uncertain future for a country in the tightening grip of an emboldened Taliban.

"The Americans will formally begin their withdrawal from Afghanistan starting May 1 and the Taliban might increase the violence," Acting Interior Minister Hayatullah Hayat told top police commanders, according to an audio clip given to reporters.