The National - News

Afghanista­n Taliban ‘want to solve war through dialogue’

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The Taliban said yesterday that they want to end the war in Afghanista­n through dialogue but warned their armed campaign would be sustained no matter how powerful the US opposition.

A more aggressive American strategy in Afghanista­n including a surge in air strikes introduced by President Donald Trump last August has pushed the Taliban back from several district centres and two provincial capitals.

But the militants control large parts of the countrysid­e and have responded to US strategy with two attacks in Kabul in recent weeks, killing nearly 150 people.

The attacks have toughened Washington and Kabul’s stand on trying to initiate talks to end nearly 17 years of war that neither side seems capable of winning.

The Taliban offer of dialogue was made in a statement addressed to the American people.

“Our preference is to solve the Afghan issue through peaceful dialogue,” the movement said.

It did not mention a January 27 attack on a Kabul hotel, in which more than 30 people were killed, nor a bombing on a crowded street a week later that killed more than 100 – both were claimed by the Taliban.

The militants, fighting to oust foreign forces and defeat the US-backed government, said the US must end its occupation and accept the Taliban’s right to form a government “consistent with the beliefs of our people”.

They mentioned the Afghan government only to deride it on various grounds.

It was not too late for the American people to realise the Taliban can solve problems with every side “through healthy politics and dialogue”, the militants said, and that the chances for dialogue were “not exhausted”.

But they said their willingnes­s to play a “constructi­ve role in finding a peaceful solution” should not be taken as a sign of weakness.

“This can never mean that we are exhausted or our will has been sapped,” the militants said. They had no intention to damage any other country or let anyone use Afghan territory against anyone else, they said.

Preliminar­y talks on ending the war that kills thousands of people each year have stalled.

But low-level contacts between the government, internatio­nal groups including the UN and groups close to the Taliban have continued even as the insurgency has escalated.

Progress has been blocked by the deep mistrust between the government and the Taliban, as well as uncertaint­y over the stance of neighbouri­ng countries, including Pakistan, which Afghanista­n has long accused of aiding the insurgents. Islamabad rejects accusation­s that it sponsors the Taliban.

 ?? AP ?? Taliban fighters react to a speech by their senior leader of Herat province. The militants yesterday made an offer of dialogue in a statement addressed to the American people
AP Taliban fighters react to a speech by their senior leader of Herat province. The militants yesterday made an offer of dialogue in a statement addressed to the American people

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