Qatar emerges as a key player as world mulls road ahead
more than 170 people. Retaliatory or pre-emptive strikes by the United States on IS positions over the past few days appear to have angered the terror group.
“There is no permission for them (US) to do such operations... our independence must be respected,” Mujahid said.
The evacuation of tens of thousands of foreigners and Afghans who feel at risk of reprisal or repression under the Taliban is due to end on Tuesday, along with the full withdrawal of US and Nato troops.
Islamic State has been highly critical of the troop withdrawal deal struck between the Taliban and Washington last year, which saw the Taliban offer security guarantees.
One IS commentary published after the fall of Kabul accused the Taliban of betraying jihadists with the US withdrawal deal and vowed to continue its fight, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors militant communications.
During the Taliban’s prison break spree this summer to free its fighters, many battle-hardened IS militants were also released - increasingly looking like a lethal error.
World needs to guide the Taliban: China tells US
The international community including the US should “guide” the Taliban, provide economic and humanitarian aid, stop the currency from depreciating and help maintain stability, Chinese state councillor and foreign minister Wang Yi has told US secretary of state Antony Blinken.
“While respecting the sovereignty of Afghanistan, the US should take concrete action to help Afghanistan fight terrorism and stop violence, rather than playing double standards or fighting terrorism selectively,” Wang said in a phone conversation with Blinken.
Qatar played an outsized role in US efforts to evacuate tens of thousands of people from Afghanistan. Now the tiny Gulf Arab state is being asked to help shape what is next for Afghanistan because of its ties with both Washington and the Taliban, who are in charge in Kabul.
Qatar will be among global heavyweights on Monday when US secretary of state Antony Blinken hosts a virtual meeting to discuss a coordinated approach for the days ahead, as the US completes its withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The meeting will also include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, Turkey, the European
Union and Nato.
Qatar has also reportedly been asked by the Taliban to provide civilian technical assistance at Kabul’s international airport, once the US military withdrawal is complete on Tuesday. Authorities in Qatar have not commented on the reports.
Meanwhile, international UN agencies are asking Qatar for help and support in delivering aid to Afghanistan.
Qatar’s role was somewhat unexpected. The nation was supposed to be a transit point for a just a few thousand people airlifted from Afghanistan over a timeline of several months.
After the swift Taliban takeover of Kabul, the US looked to Qatar to help shoulder the evacuations of tens of thousands. In the end, nearly 40% of all evacuees were moved out via Qatar.
Qatar’s role in the evacuations reflects its position as host of the West Asia’s biggest US military base, but also its decision years ago to host the Taliban’s political leadership in exile, giving it some sway with the militant group. Qatar also hosted Us-taliban peace talks.
Assistant Qatari foreign minister Lolwa al-khater acknowledged the political gains scored by Qatar in the past weeks, but rebuffed any suggestion that the country’s efforts were purely strategic. “If anyone assumes that it’s only about political gains, believe me, there are ways to do PR that are way easier than risking our people there on the ground.”