The U.S. conducted an airstrike against Taliban over continued violence in Afghanistan
The United States (U.S.) has launched an airstrike against the Taliban insurgents today, i.e., Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in response to their continued attacks in Afghanistan.
This comes a day after the President of United States (U.S.) – Donald Trump spoke to the Co-Founder of Taliban movement – Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, over phone on Tuesday, i.e., March 3, 2020, amidst reports of resumed violence in Afghanistan. For the records, U.S. and Taliban had signed the historic “Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan” on February 29, 2020, in the capital city of Qatar, Doha.
The Spokesperson for U.S. Forces in Afghanistan – Sonny Leggett tweeted, “The US conducted an airstrike on March 4 against Taliban fighters in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand, who were actively attacking an #ANDSF checkpoint. This was a defensive strike to disrupt the attack. This was our 1st strike against the Taliban in 11 days.”
The US conducted an airstrike on March 4 against Taliban fighters in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand, who were actively attacking an #ANDSF checkpoint. This was a defensive strike to disrupt the attack. This was our 1st strike against the Taliban in 11 days.
— USFOR-A Spokesman Col Sonny Leggett (@USFOR_A) March 4, 2020
He also tweeted, “To be clear- we are committed to peace, however we have the responsibility to defend our #ANDSF partners. #Afghans & US have complied w/ our agreements; however, Talibs appear intent on squandering this opp. and ignoring the will of the people for #peace. #Showyourcommitment”
To be clear- we are committed to peace, however we have the responsibility to defend our #ANDSF partners. #Afghans & US have complied w/ our agreements; however, Talibs appear intent on squandering this opp. and ignoring the will of the people for #peace. #Showyourcommitment
— USFOR-A Spokesman Col Sonny Leggett (@USFOR_A) March 4, 2020
Asking Taliban to deliver their promises, Leggett tweeted, “Taliban leadership promised the int’l community they would reduce violence and not increase attacks. We call on the Taliban to stop needless attacks and uphold their commitments. As we have demonstrated, we will defend our partners when required.”
Taliban leadership promised the int’l community they would reduce violence and not increase attacks. We call on the Taliban to stop needless attacks and uphold their commitments. As we have demonstrated, we will defend our partners when required.
— USFOR-A Spokesman Col Sonny Leggett (@USFOR_A) March 4, 2020
Accusing Taliban of attacks in Helmand, he posted, “On March 3rd alone, the Taliban conducted 43 attacks on #ANDSF checkpoints in #Helmand. The Taliban claim to be fighting to free Afg. from int’l forces, the Feb 29 agreement provides a conditions-based path to withdrawal.”
On March 3rd alone, the Taliban conducted 43 attacks on #ANDSF checkpoints in #Helmand. The Taliban claim to be fighting to free Afg. from int’l forces, the Feb 29 agreement provides a conditions-based path to withdrawal.
— USFOR-A Spokesman Col Sonny Leggett (@USFOR_A) March 4, 2020
Earlier on Tuesday, during Trump’s 35 minutes talk with Baradar, Trump confirmed he had a “very good talk”.
Speaking on the occasion, Trump said, “I spoke to the leader of the Taliban today, we had a good conversation, we have agreed there is no violence, don’t want violence. We will see what happens. They’re dealing with Afghanistan but we will see what happens.”
He further added, “The relationship is very good that I have with the mullah. They want to cease the violence, they’d like to cease violence also.”
Trump’s phone call happened in the backdrop of reports from the U.S. Department of Interior that there were 33 attacks in 16 provinces in Afghanistan, a day before. As per their report, 6 civilians were killed and 14 were injured. Moreover, 8 Taliban militants were killed in the attacks and 15 were arrested by Afghan security forces.
Talking about the phone call, the Spokesperson for Taliban – Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted, “The President of the United States Trump @realDonaldTrump held a phone conversation with the Political Deputy of the Islamic Emirate, the respected Mullah Baradar Akhund. Details later.”
Besides, Trump also said that he will meet the Taliban leaders soon. Speaking to reporters at White House, Trump said, he would be “meeting personally with Taliban leaders in the not too distant future.” Subsequently, Taliban has also accepted Trump’s invitation of a meeting. Trump also told Baradar that U.S. Secretary of State – Mike Pompeo would soon speak to the President of Afghanistan – Ashraf Ghani to normalise issues between Taliban and the Afghanistan Government.
Meanwhile, Taliban clarified that it will only meet the Afghan officials on the condition that Afghan Government will release their prisoners. This prisoner release dispute has emerged as a fresh impediment to peace negotiations between the armed group and the Afghan Government. The two are slated to meet on March 10, 2020. It is to be noted that prisoner swap arrangement was a part of the U.S. – Taliban peace deal. As per the deal, the Afghan Government will free upto 5,000 Taliban detainees by March 10, 2020. In exchange, Taliban would release 1,000 Afghan soldiers. However, a U.S. – Afghan Declaration commits the Afghanistan will only take part in U.S.-brokered talks on the “feasibility” of such a release.
Separately, the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, the national human rights institution of Afghanistan, has written a letter to the U.S. officials, expressing concerns over the prisoner release programme.
