Taliban warn to retaliate if Doha deal discarded

KABUL (SW) – Following the US and EU condemning the violent Taliban attacks, media reports suggest withdrawal of foreign troops might not take place as per Doha agreement by May.

In a report based on views of senior NATO officials, the Reuters news agency reported that the conditions for the withdrawal of foreign troops are not met. On Sunday, the US and EU said in a joint statement the Taliban must understand that their violent, destructive actions outrage the world & must cease if peace is to come to Afghanistan.

In reaction to this, the Taliban on Monday warned the US and EU against discarding the Doha agreement. The group warned it would defend its values and take stand against ‘foreign conspiracies’. ‘Unfortunately, most countries including the European Union are either directly or indirectly involved in the tragedies, destruction, bombings, killings and various other crimes being experienced by our people for the past twenty years, and some are still exerting efforts to extend the presence of foreign occupation forces in Afghanistan and to prolong the ongoing conflict’, the group said.

Commenting on this security analyst, Atiqullah Amarkhail said the raging violence has provided an excuse to the foreign troops to extend their stay in Afghanistan. Hameedullah Hotak, another security analyst, said the US might offer an incentive to the Taliban in return for their extended stay in Afghanistan.

In a joint statement, the EU Delegation and the diplomatic missions in Afghanistan condemned the targeted killings and kidnappings in Afghanistan.

It said the violence is targeted at civil society, judicial, media, religious, medical and civilian government representatives who are essential to a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. “The Taliban bears responsibility for the majority of this targeted violence, and its attacks undermine state institutions and contribute to an insecure environment in which terrorist and criminal groups are able to freely operate,” it said while blaming the Taliban for most of the targeted assassinations.

Meanwhile, NATO has clarified the Reuters story remains misleading, despite the agency’s efforts to adjust it, at our request. NATO has said its position is clear, and was conveyed to Reuters by NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu.
“No decision has been made. NATO defence ministers will address Afghanistan at their meeting on February 17-18. NATO fully supports the Afghanistan peace process, in order to ensure that Afghanistan is no longer a safe haven for terrorists that would attack our homelands. We continue to call on all sides to seize this historic opportunity for peace. The Taliban must respect their commitments to cut ties with terrorist groups, to reduce violence, and to engage in meaningful negotiations. Taliban violence continues to undermine the peace process, and it must end”, the spokesperson said.

Currently, the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission includes around 10,000 troops, a large majority of whom are non-US.

ENDS

Share: