The Taliban mentioned the US has agreed to offer humanitarian support to an especially poor Afghanistan on the verge of financial catastrophe, whereas refusing to provide political recognition to the nation’s new Taliban rulers.
The assertion got here on the finish of the primary direct talks between former enemies for the reason that chaotic withdrawal of US troops in late August.
The US assertion was much less sure, saying solely that the 2 sides “discussed the United States’ provision of strong humanitarian aid, directly to the Afghan people.” The Taliban mentioned on Sunday that talks held in Doha, Qatar, “went well,” releasing humanitarian support to Afghanistan after Washington agreed to not add such support to the Taliban’s formal recognition.
The United States made it clear that the talks have been by no means a prelude to the popularity of the Taliban, which got here to energy on 15 August following the autumn of the US-allied authorities.
State Department spokesman Ned Price referred to as the discussions “clear and professional”, whereas the US aspect reiterated that the Taliban will likely be judged not solely on their actions, however on their actions.
“The US delegation focused on security and terrorism concerns and safe passage for American citizens, other foreign nationals and our Afghan partners, as well as human rights, including the meaningful empowerment of women and girls in all aspects of Afghan society,” she mentioned. participation is concerned.” in a press release.
Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen additionally advised The Associated Press that the motion’s interim international minister assured the US throughout the talks that the Taliban was dedicated to seeing that Afghan soil shouldn’t be utilized by extremists to launch assaults in opposition to different international locations. is just not used.
On Saturday, nonetheless, the Taliban denied cooperation with Washington to manage the more and more energetic Islamic State group in Afghanistan.
Taliban enemy IS has claimed accountability for a number of latest assaults, together with Friday’s suicide bombing that killed 46 minority Shia Muslims. Washington considers IS to be its largest terrorist menace emanating from Afghanistan.
Asked if the Taliban would work with the US to develop into affiliated with the Islamic State, Shaheen mentioned, “We are capable of dealing with Daesh independently.” He used an Arabic acronym for IS.
Bill Rogio, a senior fellow on the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, which tracks terrorist teams, agreed that the Taliban ought to be capable of discover and find Afghanistan’s IS ally, often called the Islamic State, or ISKP, in Khorasan province. Washington’s assist is just not wanted to destroy.
The Taliban “fought for 20 years to oust America, and the last thing it needs is America’s return. It doesn’t even need American help,” mentioned Rogio, who additionally produces the muse’s Long War Journal “The Taliban has to undertake the difficult and time-consuming task of rooting out ISKP cells and its limited infrastructure. It has all the knowledge and tools needed to do it.” Rogio mentioned the IS ally doesn’t take pleasure in protected haven in Pakistan and Iran, which the Taliban had of their battle in opposition to the United States. However, he warned that the Taliban’s longstanding assist for al-Qaeda makes them unreliable as counter-terrorism companions with the United States.
The Taliban had sheltered al-Qaeda previous to the 9/11 assaults. This impressed the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 which drove the Taliban from energy.
“It is insane for the US to think that the Taliban can be a credible counter-terrorism partner, given the Taliban’s enduring support for al-Qaeda,” Rogio mentioned.
During the assembly, US officers have been anticipated to strain the Taliban to permit Americans and others to depart Afghanistan. In their assertion, the Taliban mentioned with out elaboration that they might “facilitate the principled movement of foreign nationals.”
.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
