United States combat forces are scheduled to be withdrawn from Afghanistan by Sept 11, 2021 MOSCOW: Daesh militants are building up their forces in northern Afghanistan as US and NATO troops leave the country and it’s a worry for Moscow, the Interfax news agency cited Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov as saying on Friday. He said Daesh was actively gaining territory in Afghanistan amid the withdrawal and what he described as the “irresponsible” stance taken by officials in Kabul.