Original sentence: A deliberate withdrawal had been planned some time before the battle began and the closing was part of a wider effort by the top commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, to cede remote outposts and consolidate troops in more populated areas to better protect Afghan civilians.The Americans withdrew from the base shortly after the battle
Edited sentence: The Americans withdrew from the base shortly after the battle, although the withdrawal had been planned some time before the battle began and the closing was part of a wider effort by the top commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, to cede remote outposts and consolidate troops in more populated areas to better protect Afghan civilians