TALIBAN BATTLE FOR PANJSHIR AS US GEN WARNS OF AFGHAN CIVIL WAR
Mark Milley fears the chaotic transition phase could trigger infighting, which in turn may spur terror outfits such as Al-Qaeda and IS
KABUL: Taliban and opposition forces battled on Saturday to control the Panjshir Valley north of Kabul, the last Afghan province holding out against the militant group, as a top U.S. general warned of a “civil war” if the Islamists failed to consolidate power. Both sides claimed to have the upper hand in Panjshir but neither could produce conclusive evidence.
WASHINGTON/KABUL: Afghanistan will “likely” erupt in civil war, America’s top general told US media on Saturday, warning that such turbulent conditions could see a resurgence of terrorist groups in the country.
As American forces began their withdrawal, the Taliban took over Afghanistan in a lightning campaign, with only the northern province Panjshir holding out against the hardline Islamists.
“My military estimate... is that the conditions are likely to develop into a civil war,” General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Fox News. He questioned whether the Taliban - who are yet to declare a government - would be able to consolidate power and establish effective governance.
“I think there’s a very good probability of a broader civil war and that will, in turn, lead to conditions that could lead to a reconstitution of Al-Qaeda or the growth of ISIS (another name for Islamic State) or other terrorist groups,” Milley said.
Emphasising that he could not predict what would happen next in Afghanistan, he nonetheless gave a bleak assessment. Milley said, “The conditions are very likely that you could see a resurgence of terrorism coming out of that general region within 12, 24 or 36 months.”
The US had invaded Afghanistan and toppled the first Taliban regime in 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 attacks by Al-Qaeda, which had sanctuary in the country. Western governments now fear that Afghanistan could again become a haven for extremists bent on attacking them.
The United States, despite pulling it troops from the country, has said that it will maintain an “over-the-horizon” capability to strike against any threats to its security in Afghanistan.
Top US national security officials will see how the war in Afghanistan may be reshaping America’s relationships in West Asia as they meet with key allies in the Persian Gulf and Europe this week.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken and defence secretary Lloyd Austin are travelling to the Gulf separately, starting on Sunday. They will meet leaders who are central to US efforts to prevent a resurgence of extremist threats in Afghanistan.
In Vatican City, Pope Francis encouraged countries to welcome Afghan refugees who are seeking a new life. During his appearance to the public in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, Francis prayed that displaced persons inside Afghanistan receive assistance and protection.
“In these tumultuous moments, in which Afghans are seeking refuge, I pray for the most vulnerable among them, I pray so that many countries welcome and protect all those seeking a new life,” Francis said.