News

US military warns of ‘responses’ if Taliban violence continues

May 2, 2020 10:23 PM


Twitter Share Facebook Share WhatsApp Share

The US military in Afghanistan Saturday urged warring parties to “return to the political path” in a rare open letter to the Taliban as a surge in violence risks shattering a hoped-for peace process.

In a two-page letter to the Taliban, US Forces-Afghanistan spokesman Colonel Sonny Leggett said “all sides” must show restraint to prevent further bloodshed.

“If the violence cannot be reduced then yes, there will be responses”, Leggett wrote in a letter to Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

“All sides must also return to the political path... Afghans should sit down now and begin talking about the future of Afghanistan together.”

The letter came after General Scott Miller, who leads US and NATO troops in Afghanistan, on April 28 warned the Taliban of potential consequences to continued violence.

Under the terms of a US-Taliban deal signed February 29, the Taliban committed to stop striking US and foreign partner troops, and agreed to start peace talks with the Kabul administration following an exchange of prisoners.

In return, the US and other foreign troops will leave Afghanistan within 14 months of the deal signing.

The US agreed not to attack the Taliban, though it has reserved the right to hit them to support Afghan forces if they come under attack.

The Taliban also verbally committed to reduce violence by as much as 80 percent, Leggett said, and to halt attacks on urban areas. Instead, there has been a “drastic increase” in violence, he noted.

While the Taliban have refrained from hitting coalition forces and cities, they returned to the battlefield the moment the deal was signed and have been unleashing an average of 55 attacks a day on Afghan forces, according to Afghan officials.

Meanwhile the prisoner swap has stalled as the Afghan government frets about releasing hardline Taliban members who will return to the fight.

In a short response to Leggett’s letter, Mujahid scolded the US for making “provocative statements”.

“We are committed to our end, honor your own obligations,” Mujahid wrote on Twitter.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wants American troops home, and the Taliban realise that as long as they don’t hit American or foreign troops, there are few consequences for continued attacks, experts say.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOavNaBX4NU


Most Read

  1. Mexican claims victory by paying $28 for $28,000 Cartier earrings Mexican claims victory by paying $28 for $28,000 Cartier earrings
  2. Two Railway Police personnel killed in Mardan Two Railway Police personnel killed in Mardan
  3. Ducky Bhai pledges million-rupee reward for unveiling source of deepfake video of his wife Ducky Bhai pledges million-rupee reward for unveiling source of deepfake video of his wife
  4. Aroob Jatoi breaks silence on viral deep fake video Aroob Jatoi breaks silence on viral deep fake video
  5. When Pakistani pilot shot down Israeli fighter plane When Pakistani pilot shot down Israeli fighter plane
  6. Katrina Kaif finally spills beans about Hollywood debut Katrina Kaif finally spills beans about Hollywood debut

Opinion

  1. Employing global best practices in Pakistan-Saudi ties
    Employing global best practices in Pakistan-Saudi ties

    By Nasim Zehra

  2. PML-N smashed PTI in by-polls
    PML-N smashed PTI in by-polls

    By News Desk

  3. Riding the Digital Wave: How Technology is Rewriting the Script of Economic Prosperity
    Riding the Digital Wave: How Technology is Rewriting the Script of Economic Prosperity

    By News Desk

  4. Tax on solar energy: Govt's misplaced priorities favour powerful stakeholders over people welfare  
    Tax on solar energy: Govt's misplaced priorities favour powerful stakeholders over people welfare  

    By Manzoor Qadir

  5. Legacy of Indian military subjugation in Kashmir
    Legacy of Indian military subjugation in Kashmir

    By Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai

  6. Islamabad becoming the hub of international diplomacy
    Islamabad becoming the hub of international diplomacy

    By Salim Bokhari