Taliban tells Trump to pull out and ‘end inherited war’
The Taliban sent an “open letter” to US president Donald Trump, repeating its call for America to leave Afghanistan after 16 years of war.
In a note in English that was sent yesterday by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, the militant group said Mr Trump recognised the errors of his predecessors by seeking a review of the US strategy for Afghanistan.
Mr Mujahid said Mr Trump should not hand control of the US policy on Afghanistan to the military but announce the withdrawal of troops, not an increase as his government has planned.
This way, Mr Mujahid said, “history shall remember you as an advocate of peace”.
T he letter said a US withdrawal would “truly deliver American troops from harm’s way” and bring about “an end to an inherited war”.
The US has about 8,400 troops in Afghanistan, and Mr Trump has so far resisted the Pentagon’s recommendations to send almost 4,000 more personnel to train Afghan military forces and strengthen counter-terrorism operations.
The plan has been delayed amid broader questions, including how to have regional powers do more to stabilise Afghanistan.
Last week, senior Republican senator John McCain laid out his plan for US operations and diplomacy in Afghanistan.
The Afghan government has struggled to halt the Taliban on its own and is now also battling an ISIL affiliate, mainly in eastern Afghanistan.
The US inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction said the Taliban controlled almost half of the country.
Mr Mujahid’s letter contained complaints against Afghanistan’s government.