Taliban to boycott talks, resume attacks if US troops do not pullout by May 1
Kabul, Apr 14 (EFE).- The Taliban warned Wednesday that they would boycott all negotiations for peace in Afghanistan and resume attacks on foreign troops if they did not adhere to the May 1 deadline for withdrawal under the Doha agreement.
The statement came a day after the media reports in the West that US troops would remain in Afghanistan beyond the May 1 deadline but withdraw unconditionally by Sep.11 this year.
As per the Doha deal agreed between the US and the militants last year in February, all foreign troops were to leave Afghanistan by May 1.
In return, the Taliban would not attack foreign troops in the country and guarantee that terrorist groups would not use territory under their control for activities against the US and its allies.
“Until all foreign forces completely withdraw from our homeland, the Islamic Emirate (the name use to call themselves) will not participate in any conference that shall make decisions about Afghanistan,” Taliban spokesperson Muhammad Naeem Wardak tweeted.
Taliban and the Afghan government representatives were expected to take part a conference in Turkey as a part of the international efforts boost the stalled intra-Afghan peace talks in Doha, which has made little progress in seven months.
The conference, jointly convened by the US, Turkey, Qatar and the United Nations, was scheduled to be held in Istanbul from Apr.24 to May 4 this year.
The overriding objective of the Istanbul Conference on the Afghan Peace Process is to accelerate and complement the ongoing intra-Afghan negotiations in Doha for “a just and durable political settlement,” according to a statement by the convening parties on Tuesday.
However, Taliban has not only decided to boycott the Turkey conference but also warned of resuming armed attacks on foreign troops in Afghanistan after May 1.
“If they violate the agreement and do not withdraw by May 1, without doubt we will be obliged to engage in actions to work for the freedom of our country through military means,” Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid told EFE. EFE
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