Afghans facing civil war: Top US general
Rk Milley fears the otic transition se could trigger ghting, which in n may spur terror fits such as Qaeda and IS
Afghaniwill “likely” erupt in civil America’s top general told edia on Saturday, warning such turbulent conditions d see a resurgence of terroroups in the country. American forces began withdrawal, the Taliban over Afghanistan in a lightcampaign, with only the hern province Panjshir ing out against the hardline ists. y military estimate... is that conditions are likely to lop into a civil war,” General k Milley, chairman of the t Chiefs of Staff, told Fox s. He questioned whether Taliban - who are yet to re a government - would be to consolidate power and lish effective governance. think there’s a very good ability of a broader civil war hat will, in turn, lead to conns that could lead to a nstitution of Al-qaeda or the th of ISIS (another name for ic State) or other terrorist ps,” Milley said. mphasising that he could redict what would happen in Afghanistan, he nonethegave a bleak assessment. y said, “The conditions are likely that you could see a rgence of terrorism coming f that general region within 4 or 36 months.” e US had invaded Afghaniand toppled the first Taliban me in 2001 in the wake of the ttacks by Al-qaeda, which sanctuary in the country. ern governments now fear Afghanistan could again me a haven for extremists on attacking them. e United States, despite ng it troops from the counas said that it will maintain ver-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.