US signs historic deal with Taliban to withdraw troops from Afghanistan
01 March, 2020
AMERICA signed a historic deal with Taliban insurgents on Saturday (Feb 29) that could pave just how toward a complete withdrawal of foreign soldiers from Afghanistan over the next 14 months and represent a step toward ending the 18-year-war there.
As the agreement paves just how for the United States to gradually pull out of its longest war, many expect that foretells come between your multiple Afghan sides will be a lot more complicated.
The deal was signed in the Qatari capital Doha by US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
The pair then shook hands, as persons in the area shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest).
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo looked on as the two inked the offer, after urging the insurgents to "keep your promises to cut ties with Al-Qaeda".
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper meanwhile travelled to Kabul on a visit that officials and authorities said was aimed at reassuring the Afghan government about the United States' commitment to the united states.
FOR ALL OF US President Donald Trump, the offer represents an opportunity to make good on his promise to bring US troops home. But security professionals also have called it a foreign policy gamble that could supply the Taliban international legitimacy.
"Today is a monumental day for Afghanistan," the united states Embassy in Kabul said on Twitter. "It really is about making peace and crafting a common brighter future. We stand with Afghanistan."
Hours before the deal, the Taliban ordered all its fighters in Afghanistan "to avoid almost any attack ... for the happiness of the country."
"The largest thing is that people hope the united states remain focused on their promises through the negotiation and peace deal," said Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the hardline Islamist group.
Mujahid said it was "irritating and provocative" that foreign military aircraft continued to fly over Taliban territory, but militia fighters were following order to stand down.
For millions of Afghans, the deal represents some expect an end to years of bloodshed.
"Peace is extremely simple and my country deserves it. Today may be the day when maybe we will see a positive change," said Javed Hassan, 38, a school teacher living on the outskirts of Afghan capital, Kabul.
Hassan's children were killed in a bomb blast completed by the Taliban in 2018. Since then, he has been writing letters to world leaders urging them to get rid of the Afghan war.
UNCERTAIN PROSPECTS
But prospects for peace remain uncertain given the next thing is reaching agreement with the Afghan government.
Senior members of the Afghan government and countries surrounding Afghanistan have been concerned that america could abandon Kabul much like it was felt to have left the region after the Soviet Union exited Afghanistan decades ago.
The accord also comes amid a fragile political situation in Afghanistan. The Independent Election Commission said on Feb 18 that Ghani won a Sep 28 vote beset by allegations of rigging, technical problems and other irregularities.
Afghanistan LEADER Abdullah Abdullah rejected the results, claimed to be the victor and vowed to name a parallel government.
Michael Kugelman, deputy director Asia Program at the Wilson Center, said of Esper's visit to Kabul that "Washington is actually trying showing that its full strength is behind this deal and it really wants to also indicate to Kabul that it is fully behind Afghanistan as the peace and reconciliation process moves toward a formal beginning."
"(Esper's trip is) perhaps an indication that the US is ready to essentially accept the brand new government in Afghanistan," he added.
The war, which includes killed thousands of people, began when america launched attacks on Afghanistan just weeks after the Sep 11, 2001, attacks on NY and Washington by the Afghanistan-based al Qaeda militant group.
Washington accused the Taliban of harbouring al Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden, and with its allies ousted the group from power. However the Taliban has remained a potent force and currently controls about 40 % of Afghan territory.
TROOP WITHDRAWAL
Trump said in a statement on Friday said the offer will pave way for US troop numbers to drop to 8,600 from about 13,000 within 135 days of Saturday's signing.
Further reductions of Western forces will hinge on the Taliban following a "decrease in violence" pledge, a condition which will be assessed by america.
Beneath the deal, the Taliban wants 5,000 fighters to be released from Afghan-run jails, nonetheless it is not clear if the Afghan government will agree.
"Up to 5,000 prisoners of the (Taliban)... and 1,000 prisoners of the other side (Afghan forces) will be released by Mar 10," the deal said.
Dialogue between your Kabul government and the Taliban is because of get started by that date.
There are also questions about whether Taliban fighters loyal to hardline Islamist splinter groups will be ready to adhere to the decrease in violence agreement.
Some senior commanders of the Taliban in Doha for the signing said they will ensure that the united states and Afghan governments accept all of the conditions laid down by the group, according to Afghan defence officials.
Sources in the Taliban earlier this month said these were ready to launch a spring offensive and had recruited a lot more than 6,000 fighters and suicide bombers if the agreement collapses.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg heralded the agreement as a "first rung on the ladder to lasting peace".
"The best way to peace is long and hard. We must be prepared for setbacks, spoilers, there is absolutely no easy way to peace but that is an important first step," the Norwegian former prime minister told reporters in Kabul.
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