ISLAMABAD - The Taliban have killed at least 21 Afghan soldiers in their latest offensive.While US-mediated peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government continue to stall.
The Taliban, meanwhile, have threatened to escalate the Afghan war dangerously.If the United States backs out of the February 29 peace deal.
The fighting comes as the United States reconsiders its promise to the Taliban in 2020.Which calls for the withdrawal of US and other coalition forces from Afghanistan by May this year.
Afghan Security Official:
An Afghan security official said Friday that the Taliban attacked a checkpoint in the Khanabad district of Kunduz Province early in the morning.
The security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said 16 Afghan security forces, including their commander, were killed in the attack.While two soldiers were taken hostage.
In a separate attack on Thursday, the Taliban stormed a checkpoint in the northern province of Faryab, killing five soldiers.The governor of the province told the local Tolo television channel that the Taliban had also taken some soldiers hostage.
The Taliban did not immediately comment on the attacks, but said they had intensified their attacks in recent days.
Meanwhile, the Taliban has warned the administration of US President Joe Biden that if it backs away from the peace deal reached on February 29 last year.It could lead to a dangerous escalation in the Afghan war.
Two days before the threat, a bipartisan congressional panel in the United States, in its recommendation, asked President Biden to extend the agreement on the complete withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan on May 1.
Afghanistan Study Group:
The Afghanistan Study Group, in a report on Wednesday, recommended that the administration strongly link the withdrawal of US troops to a reduction in Taliban violence and progress in inter-Afghan talks.
The study warns that the withdrawal of all US and NATO forces by the May deadline could trigger a civil war in Afghanistan.Which could destabilize the region and restore the terrorist organization Al Qaeda.
In response to the study group's report, in a comment posted on the Taliban's website.The Taliban denied allegations that they were not fulfilling the terms of the agreement.
Doha Agreement:
The Taliban have threatened that if the United States withdraws from the Doha agreement.A major war could break out, for which the United States will be fully responsible.
The Taliban have advised the new US administration not to view the deal emotionally, and instead to cut off further investment in the Afghan war.
The Taliban's statement said that everyone should refrain from any kind of provocative actions and rhetoric, because before that everyone will return to the state of war.Which is not in the interest of the United States or the Afghan people.
Peace Deal Between the United States and the Taliban:
After a peace deal between the United States and the Taliban, the number of US troops has dropped from 13,000 to 2,500.In return, the Taliban promised to end their terrorist activities and promised to work with the Afghan government to find a negotiated solution to end the long war.
However, the Biden administration has decided to review the peace agreement reached by the Trump administration to determine.Whether the Taliban are meeting the terms of the agreement.
The Biden administration has asked the Trump administration's special envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmai Khalilzad, to continue his responsibilities.
Afghan-born Zalmai Khalilzad is a seasoned American diplomat.It was Khalilzad who brokered a peace deal with the Taliban.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blankenship met with Khalilzad on Thursday to discuss the Afghan peace process.
0 Comments