Taliban Opposes Extension of US Troop Presence in Afghanistan... "Will Not Attend Peace Talks"

"Taliban Victory" Emphasized While Urging Implementation of Withdrawal Agreement
Afghan Government Faces Risk of Collapse Amid Taliban Offensive

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Afghan extremist armed group, the Taliban, has opposed the U.S. government's announcement that U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan will withdraw by September 11, calling it a violation of the existing withdrawal agreement. They urged the U.S. military to withdraw, stating they will not attend any peace talks until the withdrawal agreement is honored. The Afghan government stated that it has sufficient defense capabilities and respects the U.S. military's intention to withdraw, but the prevailing analysis is that if the U.S. troops fully withdraw, the government will soon collapse under the Taliban's offensive.

According to foreign media including the AP on the 14th (local time), the Taliban opposed U.S. President Joe Biden's statement that U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan will withdraw by September 11, saying it is an attempt to break the withdrawal deadline promise. The Taliban has emphasized that the U.S. military must adhere to the May 1 withdrawal deadline according to the peace agreement signed last year with the previous Donald Trump administration.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid urged the U.S. side to honor the agreement made with the Trump administration. Mujahid pointed out, "If this agreement is committed to, the remaining issues will be resolved, but if the agreement is not kept, the problems will definitely escalate." He also expressed a boycott of peace negotiations. Another Taliban spokesperson, Mohammad Naeem, said, "We will not attend any conference to make decisions about Afghanistan until all foreign troops have completely withdrawn from our homeland." He threatened not to send representatives to the Afghan peace talks scheduled to be held in Turkey on the 24th.

According to the BBC, the Taliban is reportedly preparing to take over the government from the Afghan government, claiming victory over the U.S. military within Afghanistan. Since the Taliban already controls more than 60% of Afghan territory, the BBC reported that local officials and civil servants in Taliban-controlled areas are cooperative with the Taliban.

On the same day, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani stated in a press release, "We respect the will of the United States," and emphasized, "Even if the U.S. troops leave, the Afghan government forces have sufficient defense capabilities." However, most experts predict that if the U.S. and international coalition forces fully withdraw, the Afghan government forces will quickly collapse under the Taliban's major offensive.