Taliban threaten foreign powers if the May 1 withdrawal deadline is not met

Defence Redefined

27/03/2021

The Taliban have warned they would resume hostilities against foreign troops in Afghanistan if their withdrawal deadline on May 1 is not met.

The Taliban threat follows the remarks by US President, Joe Biden, who said on Thursday that it would be difficult for the last US troops to withdraw before the deadline agreed with Washington last year.

Also on Thursday, MPs in Germany approved an order allowing their forces to remain in Afghanistan until January 31, 2022.

If the May 1 deadline is not met, the Taliban will be “forced to continue the jihad (holy war) and the armed struggle against foreign forces to liberate their country,” they said in a statement.

Also read: Afghanistan | Taliban abduct at least 20 civilians

The United States and the Taliban agreed last year that all foreign forces would withdraw from the country in exchange for security guarantees from Islamist insurgents and the start of peace talks with the Afghan government.

Since then, attacks on foreign forces in Afghanistan have largely halted, although the Taliban aggression against Afghan security forces and government personnel has continued.

The Taliban have said they are committed to the agreement, which they describe as “the most sensible and shortest path” to end the 20-year war in Afghanistan, the longest-running war for the United States. 

The responsibility for its prolongation “will be on the shoulders of those who committed this violation,” the statement said.

Source: CNA

Also read: Tens of thousands flee their homes after Taliban offensive in Helmand, Afghanistan