Taliban Warn NATO Against Continuation of War in Afghanistan
KABUL (Dispatches) – The Taliban have warned NATO against seeking a "continuation of war” in Afghanistan and staying in the country beyond the May withdrawal deadline agreed with the United States.
Defense ministers from the Washington-backed allies are to meet next week to discuss whether NATO’s mission should stay or go.
"Our message to the upcoming NATO ministerial meeting is that the continuation of occupation and war is neither in your interest nor in the interest of your and our people,” the Taliban said in a statement.
"Anyone seeking extension of wars and occupation will be held liable for it just like the previous two decades.”
Former U.S. president Donald Trump struck a deal with the Taliban last year under which the United States agreed foreign troops would leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in return for opening talks with the Kabul government.
Joe Biden’s administration has said it would review the deal, with the Pentagon accusing the Afghan militant group of not meeting their commitment. NATO sources have also singled a desire within the alliance for staying in the country beyond the deadline.
The Taliban in turn have accused the U.S. of breaching the agreement and insisted it will continue its fight if foreign troops do not leave by May.
The U.S., under former president Donald Trump, reached an agreement with the Taliban in Doha last February, under which the U.S. and its NATO allies are expected to withdraw all troops in 14 months.
The U.S. overthrew a Taliban regime shortly after the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. But occupation forces have remained bogged down there ever since and violence continues to take a heavy toll on the country.
Defense ministers from the Washington-backed allies are to meet next week to discuss whether NATO’s mission should stay or go.
"Our message to the upcoming NATO ministerial meeting is that the continuation of occupation and war is neither in your interest nor in the interest of your and our people,” the Taliban said in a statement.
"Anyone seeking extension of wars and occupation will be held liable for it just like the previous two decades.”
Former U.S. president Donald Trump struck a deal with the Taliban last year under which the United States agreed foreign troops would leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in return for opening talks with the Kabul government.
Joe Biden’s administration has said it would review the deal, with the Pentagon accusing the Afghan militant group of not meeting their commitment. NATO sources have also singled a desire within the alliance for staying in the country beyond the deadline.
The Taliban in turn have accused the U.S. of breaching the agreement and insisted it will continue its fight if foreign troops do not leave by May.
The U.S., under former president Donald Trump, reached an agreement with the Taliban in Doha last February, under which the U.S. and its NATO allies are expected to withdraw all troops in 14 months.
The U.S. overthrew a Taliban regime shortly after the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. But occupation forces have remained bogged down there ever since and violence continues to take a heavy toll on the country.