Terror groups could ‘disrupt US peace deal’
TERRORIST groups could wreck the historic peace deal between the US and the Taliban, British officials have warned.
America and its NATO allies, including the UK, have agreed to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan within 14 months if the militants uphold the agreement.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab described the peace deal as a “significant moment in pursuit of peace”.
He said: “Meaningful negotiations between the Afghan leadership and the Taliban are the real prize and I hope this opportunity will be seized.”
Hundreds of British servicemen and women could now return home.
The peace deal, signed in Qatar after months of negotiations, is based on concrete assurances that Afghanistan will no longer harbour terrorists or allow a repeat of 9/11 to be planned from within its borders.
But Whitehall officials fear that Islamist terrorist groups Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (Daesh) could attempt to disrupt the historic agreement.
A Ministry of Defence source said: “There is a possibility that Al-Qaeda, Islamic State and other affiliates will exploit everything. We will have to be reactive and on our toes for that.”
The source added that the agreement between the US and the Taliban requires hard-line militants to “renounce those groups” and take charge of terrorist bands to prevent a return to bloodshed.
A Foreign Office source added officials are “absolutely sure” there will be difficulties with the groups, but said the Taliban is a much more “significant force” in Afghanistan.
They also fear terrorist groups may ramp up activity as foreign troops leave Afghanistan.
A Whitehall official said of the deal: “It has to ensure 9/11 can’t happen again and that we can defend ourselves against Al-Qaeda and Daesh.”