KABUL (SW) – The US is set to keep at least around 600 troops in Afghanistan for the security of its diplomatic mission in Kabul.
A reliable source told Salam Watandar that this ‘defensive force’ would serve to ensure safety of the diplomats at the US embassy as well as their facilities at the Kabul airport.
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“All are frustrated with the slow pace of the peace process”, the western diplomat said, adding efforts were underway to get the Taliban to come forward with the peace proposal.
“… the unwillingness or inability (of the Taliban) to attend the proposed peace conference in Istanbul, and re-engage in serious ways deeply frustrated the international community and the Afghan government.
“There are several avenues we (US) are working with our partners in the region, with the Qatar, with Pakistanis, even with Russia and China in the extended Troika efforts to put pressure on the Taliban to meaningfully engage for peace talks”, the diplomat said.
Earlier this week, the AP reported that several hundred additional American forces will remain at the Kabul airport, potentially until September, to assist Turkish troops providing security, as a temporary move until a more formal Turkey-led security operation is in place, the officials said.
It added overall, officials said the U.S. expects to have American and coalition military command, its leadership and most troops out by July Fourth, or shortly after that, meeting an aspirational deadline that commanders developed months ago.
The departure of the bulk of the more than 4,000 troops that have been in the country in recent months is unfolding well before President Joe Biden’s Sept. 11 deadline for withdrawal. And it comes amid accelerating Taliban battlefield gains, fueling fears that the Afghan government and its military could collapse in a matter of months.
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According to the officials, Turkey has largely agreed to provide security at the airport as long as it receives support from American forces. U.S. and Turkish military officials are meeting in Ankara this week to finalize arrangements.
On Wednesday, Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said there is not yet a written agreement with Turks on airport security. He said he did not want to speak about specifics before there is a final agreement, but added, “I feel very comfortable that security at the Kabul airport will be maintained and the Turks will be a part of that.”
ENDS
