The Taliban on Saturday warned US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan not to extend their “occupation” beyond May as the insurgent group categorically denied it violated February 29, 2020, Doha accord.
“Our message to the upcoming NATO ministerial meeting is that the continuation of occupation and war is neither in your interest nor in the interest of your and our people,” the Taliban said in a statement that came just days before the meeting of NATO defence ministers, where the US would present its plan for the future of Afghanistan.
“Anyone seeking an extension of wars and occupation will be held liable for it just like the previous two decades.”
It may be noted here that the Joe Biden administration has said it would review the deal made by former US president Donald Trump with the Taliban last year under which the country agreed to withdraw troops by May 2021 in return for conditions including cutting ties with Al-Qaeda and opening peace talks with the Kabul government.
Both the Taliban and US have accused each other of defecting from the terms of the agreement.
“The Islamic Emirate (Afghan Taliban) on its part is seriously committed to its implementation, has taken effective steps in this regard, and also wants the other side to stringently implement the accord,” the statement said.
“The Islamic Emirate has significantly decreased the level of operations, and in breaking with past practice, no annual spring offensive was announced or launched the previous year. That no district headquarters were conquered in succession like the years past, no numerous and complex attacks targeted the enemy in major cities, nor were plans sketched for the takeover of cities, if this does not constitute a reduction in violence than what does?”
“This is even before we reach any kind of an agreement with the internal opposition about ending operations against their military personnel. On the other hand, fighting which has occurred is mostly cases where our Mujahideen have been forced to defend their areas, or where the public has been safeguarded from harmful check posts, or where gunmen that extorted passenger vehicles and supply trucks on main highways were suppressed,” the statement said.
“Anyone seeking the extension of wars and occupation will be held liable for it just like the previous two decades,” the statement warned, adding that, “the Afghan Mujahid nation considers defence of their homeland, values and freedom their legitimate right and takes pride in it. Hence, all must avoid misjudging the situation or falling for the trappings of warmongering circles.”
