Washington: Describing the security situation in Afghanistan as "still fragile", President Barack Obama today said the US will maintain its 9,800 troops in the war-torn country by the end of 2016 and thereafter deploy 5,500 troops at a small number of bases.

"Afghan forces are still not as strong as they need to be. And meanwhile, the Taliban has made gains, particularly in rural areas, and can still deadly launch attacks in cities, including Kabul," Obama said.