On Friday, the Taliban cautioned against the deployment of more Western forces to afghanistan, Reuters reported. The group said it only wants independence based on Islamic principles and refuted claims that it would keep foreign militant groups.
Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada repeated the calls for the United States to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. Akhundzada made the remarks during the Eid al-Fitri festival, to mark the end of the Holy month of Ramadan.
Taliban accused U.S. of occupation
He said that the U.S. occupation was the major obstacle to peace.
The statement echoed similar calls the group has made in the past.
The comments seemed to address the debate in the White House over U.S. policy on Afghanistan. At the center of this debate is the issue of maintaining or increasing America's military presence for the U.S.-backed regime in Kabul -- though this development has not been directly acknowledged.
According to Yahoo News, the Taliban debunked claims that Afghanistan could become a safe haven for foreign terrorist groups aiming to attack the U.S. and its partners.
He warned against sending additional three to five thousand U.S. troops to add to the number already in the country. He further reiterated his calls for total independence of Afghanistan and for the introduction of an Islamic legal system in the country.
Taliban demands for independence
He stated that the more America holds on to maintain their military presence in the country or want to increase their forces, the greater the regional struggle against them will increase. The Taliban leader then pledged effective and cordial relations with the United States and the world once the “occupation” of its country comes to an end.
Akhundzada dismissed allegations that the Taliban benefited from assistance from Russia, Pakistan and other countries. He further warned that his group would not allow any other foreign intervention in his country.
He called on the U.S. to consider a legitimate appeal of the people of Afghanistan and urged for peace through diplomatic dialogues, but failed to offer concessions on the Taliban’s main demand that foreign troops should leave the country before the commencement of peace talks.
He said it was the policy of the Islamic Emirate to aim for a peaceful resolution of the Afghan issue, and that could only be possible when the “occupation” comes to an end after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
