KABUL (SW) – The Taliban have rejected reports about consultation by the US over reported postponement of the withdrawal of foreign troops.
The group’s Qatar office spokesman, Mohammad Naeem told Salam Watandar there have been no consultations between the Taliban and the US over the reported postponement of the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, a former Taliban-era official Syed Akbar Aagha has said there are no chances of the Taliban acknowledging any such proposal from the US. He stressed it is important that the terms of the Doha deal are honored, and all foreign troops leave Afghanistan by May 1.
“I do not believe the Americans would leave Afghanistan as per the deadline, they seems to be looking for excuses. However, it is important that the international community observe that the US quits Afghanistan at the specific time”, he said.
The Biden administration is looking to keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan past a May 1 deadline while exploring a deal in which the Taliban would allow a U.S. counter-terrorism force to remain as they confront their Islamic State foes, reported Reuters earlier this month.
The Taliban has been fighting Islamic State’s local affiliate, and U.S. airstrikes on ISIS have proved critical to helping them rout their rivals.
But, experts say, Islamic State remains a serious threat.
The Taliban have indicated they will resume attacking foreign forces if Biden fails to meet the May 1 deadline, and some experts doubt they would allow any U.S. force to stay.
ENDS
