US defense chief raises doubts over deal with Taliban

The US raised new doubts on Saturday over military withdrawal from Afghanistan and a peace deal with the Taliban after the militants attacked several provincial capitals and targeted Kabul with suicide bombers.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper tried to allay fears that Washington was looking for a quick exit. “My view, the US view, is that the best way forward is a political agreement and that’s what we’re working diligently on right now,” he said.

“That doesn’t mean we’ll take any deal, but we want to make sure we have a good deal, a good enough deal that guarantees at least the security of our countries going forward and a brighter future for the Afghan people.” Esper’s remarks were welcomed by the government of President Ashraf Ghani, which has been excluded from the talks with the Taliban.

“We echo the need for sustainable peace, the end of violence and a meaningful peace that would guarantee the security of Afghanistan and its allies,” presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said. According to parts of the deal made public so far, the Pentagon would pull about 5,000 of its 13,000 or so troops from five bases across Afghanistan by early next year. The Taliban would renounce Al-Qaeda, promise to fight Daesh and stop militants using Afghanistan as a haven.

However, many Afghans fear the deal will lead to a return of the Islamist group to power. The government in Kabul has also repeatedly expressed doubts. It says it needs more information about the risks the deal poses, and has warned that a hasty US exit could lead to a wider civil war.