The United States Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan Crocker has warned that the potential withdrawal of the US-led troops from the war-torn country bares unacceptable risks that could lead to another 9/11.

“To get out before the Afghans have a full grip on security, which is a couple years out, would be to invite the Taliban,” he said on Sunday, adding that the pullout would “set the stage for another 9/11,” the Associated Press reported.

The comments came following a series coordinated attacks by the Taliban militants in the country’s capital Kabul.

According to the Afghan Interior Ministry, 19 militants were killed, while 14 policemen and nine civilians were injured in the exchange of fire between the attackers and the security forces.

“Attacks like this demonstrate why we need to be here (Afghanistan),” Crocker said.