And he contradicts Boris on speed of takeover
EvEN the Taliban were ‘taken by surprise’ by the speed of its takeover of Afghanistan, Dominic Raab claimed yesterday.
In comments that contradicted Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary insisted there was ‘common widespread surprise’ at the militant group’s pace as it swept through the country and captured Kabul.
But the Prime Minister had said on Thursday that it had been ‘clear for many months’ that the situation could rapidly change.
And Defence Secretary Ben Wallace claimed he argued in July that the ‘game was up’. Mr Raab, who is visiting Pakistan on a diplomatic mission to secure safe passage for the stranded Britons and Afghans, said yesterday: ‘The takeover, I think it’s fair to say, was faster than anyone anticipated, not just the United Kingdom or Nato allies. And I suspect the Taliban and ordinary Afghans were taken by surprise.’
The Foreign Secretary has previously said advice from the intelligence community and the military was that the capital was unlikely to fall this year. He added it would instead see a ‘steady deterioration’ from when foreign troops withdrew at the end of August.
However, Kabul was taken by the Taliban on August 15 while Mr Raab was on holiday at the luxury Amirandes Hotel in Crete and his assertion about the speed of the takeover contradicted the Prime Minister.
Mr Johnson said: ‘I think it’s been clear for many months that the situation could go very fast and that’s been part of the intelligence briefing.
There have also been suggestions the Afghan national defence force might hold on for longer. But logically you can see what happened.’