For the time being, NATO will extend its mission in Afghanistan, sources close to the alliance told the German Agency.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization member states have agreed not to withdraw the remaining 10,000 troops from the Asian country during a meeting of Defence Ministers on Wednesday and Thursday.

Instead, they are expected to re-urge the Taliban Islamist militant movement to de-escalate the violence and make further efforts to make progress in peace talks with the government.

Ongoing Taliban attacks are undermining the peace process and must end, sources told the German News Agency.

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Under the Taliban agreement with the United States in Doha, Qatar in February 2020, all foreign troops are due to be withdrawn in late April. In return, Islamist insurgents pledged to de-escalate the violence and begin peace talks with the government in Kabul.

On Saturday, the Taliban warned NATO against extending “occupation and war”. The government of the new US Democratic President, Joe Biden, has made it clear that it will reconsider the agreement signed by that of its predecessor, Republican Donald Trump, with the Taliban and that it will “evaluate” whether the Islamist fighters keep their ties.

Germany, which currently has the second-largest military force in Afghanistan after the United States, intends to extend its mission, German Foreign Minister Haiko Maas said on Saturday.

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Source: CNA