Kabul/Peshawar: The Afghan Taliban warned nearby nations against allowing the US to use their territory for operations in the country after they withdraw from Afghanistan. As foreign forces withdraw troops by President Joe Biden’s announced deadline of September 11, experts and diplomats have speculated that Washington’s future role in the region could include bases in nearby countries, especially Pakistan. “If such a step is taken, then the responsibility for all the misfortunes and difficulties lies upon those who commit such mistakes,” the insurgent group said in a statement, without specifying a country.
US officials have privately said that they are exploring potential basing options in countries near Afghanistan, like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. In recent days, there has been a spate of talks between senior Pakistani and US officials, including a meeting between Biden’s NSA Jake Sullivan and his Pakistani counterpart.
Pakistan shares a border with Afghanistan that runs along south and eastern Afghanistan where the Taliban have a large presence. A spokesman for Pakistan’s foreign office said that any speculation over US use of bases in Pakistan “was baseless and irresponsible”. The US embassy in Islamabad did not comment.
