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AFGHANISTAN-TALIBAN-US-NATO
Taliban call on US to honour withdrawal deal
KABUL, Feb 16, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – The Taliban on Tuesday urged the US to
honour a landmark withdrawal deal under which all foreign troops would exit
Afghanistan in the coming months, even as violence continues to rage in the
war-ravaged nation.
In an 11-point statement, the insurgent group called for the Americans to
stick to the agreement ironed out in Qatar last year that paved the way for
ongoing peace talks between the Taliban and the Kabul government.
“We urge the American side to remain committed to the full implementation
of this accord,” wrote the group’s co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in
an open letter addressed to the American public.
“It is the responsibility and in the interest of all to bring an end to
this war, and the implementation of the Doha agreement is the most effective
way of ending it.”
The statement comes a day ahead of a major NATO summit where the alliance
is set to hold its highest-level talks since US President Joe Biden took
office vowing to work more closely with allies after four years of tensions
under Donald Trump.
The war in Afghanistan and withdrawal plans are expected to be among the
most pressing issues discussed during the summit.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday said the alliance would
not withdraw its troops from Afghanistan “before the time is right”.
Biden’s administration is reviewing the deal, while the Pentagon has
accused the Taliban of not fulfilling promises that include reducing attacks
and cutting ties to insurgent groups such as Al-Qaeda.
A study mandated by the US Congress has called for a delay in the pullout,
warning it would effectively hand the Taliban a victory.
With the withdrawal deadline nearing, the Taliban have launched a string of
offensives threatening at least two strategic provincial capitals in southern
Afghanistan in recent months.
The US and the Afghan government have also blamed the insurgents for a wave
of deadly assassinations targeting journalists, politicians, judges and
activists.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1929 hrs