Taliban leaders seek peace despite killings continuing
THE top US commander in Afghanistan played down a spate of recent Taliban attacks yesterday, saying violence levels were still lower than average as some insurgents talked peace – a situation he described as “talking and fighting”.
“You see mid-level, seniorlevel Taliban leaders engaging with Afghans,” said army General John Nicholson, adding a lot of the diplomatic activity was taking place “off the stage.”
His remarks came the same day gunmen armed with assault rifles and grenade launchers attempted to penetrate the heavily fortified headquarters of the Afghan interior ministry, battling security forces for more than two hours in the latest attack on the capital Kabul.
The attack was a reminder of the challenges facing USbacked Afghan forces even after 16 years of war. Last month, two explosions in Kabul killed at least 26 people, including nine journalists. Gen Nicholson said initial indications suggested Taliban and the Haqqani network were behind the attack, even though Islamic State claimed responsibility.
In his remarks to reporters, Nicholson sought to underscore data and events he said point to forward progress in America’s longest war.
Critics warn the US-backed Afghan army cannot promise to defeat the Taliban or overcome political divisions and entrenched corruption. More than 2,400 US forces have died in the conflict. (Reuters)