The Taliban’s Spring Offensive Announcement is Reckless, Said Zalmay Khalilzad
KABUL, Afghanistan (BulgarianMilitary.com) – The Taliban announced last Friday the start of their spring offensive despite talking peace with the United States and ahead of a significant gathering of Afghans meant to discuss resolutions to the protracted war and an eventual withdrawal of American troops from the country, learned BulgarianMilitary.com, quoting AP and U.S. special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad
The insurgents released a lengthy missive in five languages, including English, saying the fighting would continue while foreign forces remain in Afghanistan.
In a series of tweets later Friday, U.S. special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad condemned the announcement as “reckless” and “irresponsible.”
“1/6 The Taliban’s spring offensive announcement is reckless. It is irresponsible to suggest that an increase in violence is warranted because the government announced a security plan. The Afghan people have clearly voiced their desire for peace” he said in first tweet.
“2/6 Through this announcement, Taliban leaders demonstrate their indifference to the demands of Afghans across the country. The call for more fighting will not advance peace efforts. If executed, it will only yield more suffering and thousands more causalities.”
“3/6 At a time when all Afghans should come together in talks to determine a common future, a call for fighting suggests the Taliban are stuck in the ways of the past. Many Talibs including fighters and some leaders oppose this announcement.”
“4/6 All Afghans should condemn this announcement. On behalf of the United States, I condemn this announcement of a spring offensive, and call on Pakistan, Qatar, and other nations that want peace in Afghanistan to do the same.”
“5/6 The U.S. and our international partners will stand with Afghan security forces to continue our effort to end the war in Afghanistan, at the same time as we seek to bring parties to the table to negotiate peace.”
“6/6 The killing of Afghans must stop. All sides must end unnecessary violence, and instead engage in Intra-Afghan dialogue which leads to negotiations on a political settlement and a roadmap to end the war this year. Afghan people want peace, and the US stands with them.”
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Editorial team
Source: AP, Zalmay Khalilzad