KABUL (SW): The new U.S. war strategy for Afghanistan announced by the President Donald Trump has been hailed by the Afghan government while the Taliban have vowed to continue fighting till the exit of all foreign troops from Afghanistan.
U.S. President Trump outlined a revised vision for the U.S. war in Afghanistan on Monday, pledging to end a strategy of “nation-building” and instead institute a policy aimed more squarely at addressing the terrorist threat that emanates from the region.
Kabul government hails the new strategy
Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani hailed the new U.S. strategy. “I am grateful to President Trump and the American people for this affirmation of support for our efforts to achieve self-reliance and for our joint struggle to rid the region from the threat of terrorism”, the President said in a statement. “The strength of our security forces should show the Taliban and others cannot win a military victory. The objective of peace is paramount. Peace remains our priority,” President Ghani added.
Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Unity Government (NUG), has said Afghan leaders had detailed conversations with Trump’s national security team ahead of the conclusion of the new strategy. Abdullah said peace is a priority for the Afghan government, but if the Taliban continue to fight, they will be resisted vigorously. Abdullah said all aspects of war in Afghanistan including the fight against Daesh and the matter of countries supporting terrorism are addressed in this strategy.
Mohammad Sarwar Danish, second Vice President, said while hailing the strategy: “Our first priority is not war, we have always stressed upon peace and stability, and in our view peace is the first option for stability in Afghanistan and the region”.
He said the role of the regional countries is important for peace in Afghanistan, and expressed hope that the new strategy will help the Afghan government and the people of Afghanistan to overcome the challenges in the area of peace and counter-terrorism. He called the US strategy for Afghanistan "a positive political and military development for the Afghan government and people."
EU optimistic about peace
Franz-Michael Mellbin, EU Special Representative in Afghanistan, has also welcomed President Trump’s announcement of the US policy on Afghanistan. “The Afghan people have suffered enough. Peace is possible”, he said.
Gen. John Nicholson, Commanded U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A) and the Resolute Support Mission (RSM), has said the new strategy means the Taliban cannot succeed militarily, and it is better for them to join the peace process.
Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, has also welcomed the new strategy. He said this move opens a chapter in strategic cooperation between the two countries.
NATO welcomes conditions-based approach
Jens Stoltenberg, Nato Secretary General, has welcomed President Trump’s new, conditions-based approach to Afghanistan and the region.
“NATO Allies and partners have already committed to increasing our presence in Afghanistan. NATO currently has over 12,000 troops in the country. In recent weeks, more than fifteen nations have pledged additional contributions to our Resolute Support Mission. We place special emphasis on continuing the development of Afghan Special Forces, Air Forces and improving command and control”, he said in a message.
Meanwhile, the Taliban have vowed to keep fighting till the exit of all foreign forces from Afghanistan. Few days back on the occasion of Afghanistan’s Independence Day, the Taliban urged the U.S. ‘to learn lessons from previous empire’s defeats in Afghanistan, and take out all of its forces”.
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