The top-secret trip also saw the US President announce that talks between the US and the Taliban had restarted.

Trump arrived at Bagram Air Field to spend some time with troops away from their families on the special US holiday – but he also discussed a potential “peace deal” with the Taliban.

Reporters were under strict instructions to keep the trip top-secret to ensure his safety.

Trump said: “The Taliban wants to make a deal. We’ll see if they want to make a deal. It’s got to be a real deal, but we’ll see. But they want to make a deal.”

The visit comes more than two months after Trump abruptly broke off peace talks with the Taliban after a bombing in Kabul killed 12 people, including an American soldiers.

Trump had angrily called off talks, which had come close to an agreement on the withdrawal of US troops from the country.

The president also suggested the Taliban were willing to agree to a ceasefire, saying: “We’re saying it has to be a cease-fire…Now they do want to do a cease-fire. I believe it’ll probably work out that way.”

The US invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban government there in the wake of the September 11 attacks in 2001.

It has remained in the country battling Taliban forces since, and in 2010 the conflict overtook the Vietnam War as the US’s longest-running in US history.

Successive US administration have accused Pakistan of cultivating terrorist groups in Afghanistan to act as proxies in its conflict with India, while Pakistan has long criticised US anti-terror tactics like the use of drones.

Khan, a former international cricketer, became Prime Minister in August of last year, and has signalled a willingness to renew relations.

It was widely noted that the country’s government refrained from criticising Trump too harshly after he ended talks two months ago – suggesting they’re keen to work out a deal – now seemingly confirmed by Trump.

Today’s announcement comes at a pivotal moment in Trump\u2019s presidency, with the impeachment inquiry moving quickly.

Trump made a similar trip last year, to Iraq on Christmas night their first to an active conflict zone.

Vice President Mike Pence also visited troops in Iraq this week.

The Sun