In an official statement released today, the Afghan Taliban responded to allegations “that the Islamic Emirate is not complying with its obligations outlined in the Doha agreement.” It also alleged that “some sides and anti-peace figures are exerting efforts to prolong the stay of foreign forces and extend the occupation.”
“The Doha agreement signed after eighteen months of intricate and hard negotiations is the sole political roadmap out of the ongoing US-Afghan conflict that no one should treat lightly,” the statement read. “The Islamic Emirate on its part is seriously committed to its implementation, has taken effective steps in this regard, and also wants the other side to stringently implement the accord.”
The statement said that Unites States forces in Afghanistan and the Afghan Taliban have both claimed to decrease violence in adherence to the agreements made in the ongoing US-Taliban peace talks in Doha.
“The American side attests that no foreign trooper has been killed over the past 12 months in Afghanistan, showcasing firm commitment of the Islamic Emirate to the agreement,” the Taliban said. “In a similar fashion and in line with the text of the deal, no entity has taken any steps against the United States of America and its allies from the soil of Afghanistan nor is anyone allowed to do so, and as per the accord, intra-Afghan talks were launched and ceasefire made a topic of the agenda.”
“The Islamic Emirate has significantly decreased the level of operations, and in breaking with past practice, no annual spring offensive was announced or launched the previous year,” it said. “That no district headquarters were conquered in succession like the years past, no numerous and complex attacks targeted the enemy in major cities, nor were plans sketched for the takeover of cities, if this does not constitute a reduction in violence then what does?”
The statement pointed out that this is even before any kind of an agreement has been reached “with the internal opposition about ending operations against their military personnel.”
“On the other hand, fighting which has occurred is mostly cases where our Mujahideen have been forced to defend their areas, or where the public has been safeguarded from harmful check posts, or where gunmen that extorted passenger vehicles and supply trucks on main highways were suppressed,” the Taliban stated.
In the official statement, the Taliban said that the Kabul administration has launched large scale operations in various provinces and, in some cases, were even provided with air supported by foreign forces.
“Moreover, raids have been carried out against civilians, American aircrafts are still conducting unwarranted and agreement breaching airstrikes, entire prisoner release process to be completed within three months after launch of intra-Afghan dialogue in line with text of agreement has not been realised, leaders of the Islamic Emirate have not been removed from UN sanctions and rewards lists, warmongering and provocative rhetoric and propaganda by top brass of the Kabul administration has continued unabated since the signing of the agreement, they are conducting suspicious attacks against civilian and defenseless targets in cities, and intellectual figures are being assassinated to pin the blame on Mujahideen and create an atmosphere of mistrust. All of these actions display the non-commitment of the other side towards the peace process,” the statement listed.
“The Islamic Emirate once again calls on all parties to remain committed to their obligations instead of resorting to propaganda, provocations, baseless accusations and promoting an atmosphere of distrust. Our faith does not allow us to violate our agreements, therefore no one should be apprehensive about us, rather they should focus on implementing their own commitments,” it said.
“Our message to the upcoming NATO ministerial meeting is that the continuation of occupation and war is neither in your interest nor in the interest of your and our people,” it added.
“Anyone seeking extension of wars and occupation will be held liable for it just like the previous two decades,” the statement warned. “The Afghan Mujahid nation considers defense of their homeland, values and freedom their legitimate right and takes pride in it. Hence, all must avoid misjudging the situation or falling for the trappings of warmongering circles.”
