The Pentagon plans to discontinue most of the CIA's counterterrorism operations by early 2021, the US official said.

Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller announced his decision to stop counterterrorism support to CIA Director Gina Haspel this week, the current senior and retired officials.

The US military assists in many aspects of the CIA's paramilitary anti-terrorist operations such as air transportation, logistics, and medical evacuation.

The Pentagon move to cut much of its military support for the CIA was seen as the biggest policy change after US President Donald Trump changed the Department of Defense leadership, including the sacking of Secretary Marks.

Lt. Col. Uriah Orlando, spokesman for the US Department of Defense, said on December 10 that the agency worked with the CIA to "adjust resource allocation in line with the change in the National Defense Strategy 2018" during the period.

CIA spokesperson Nicole de Haay affirmed no "stronger and better" partnership between the intelligence agency and the Pentagon, expressing confidence that the two sides would continue to work closely in