Moscow: The Taliban warned Washington against defying a May1 deadline for the withdrawal of US and Nato troops from Afghanistan, promising a “reaction”, which could mean increased attacks by the insurgent group. The Taliban issued the warning at a press conference in Moscow, the day after meeting with Afghan government negotiators and international observers to try to jumpstart a stalled peace talks.
President Biden’s administration says it is reviewing an agreement the Taliban signed with the Trump administration. Biden said in an interview that the May 1 deadline “could happen, but it is tough”, adding that if the deadline is extended it won’t be by “a lot longer”.
“They should go,” Suhail Shaheen, a member of the Taliban negotiation team, said, warning that staying beyond May 1 would breach the deal. “After that, it will be a kind of violation of the agreement. That violation would not be from our side. . . Their violation will have a reaction.” He did not elaborate on what form the “reaction” would take, but in keeping with the deal they signed last year, the Taliban have not attacked US or Nato forces, even as unclaimed bombings and targeted killings have spiked.
He also reaffirmed that the Taliban were firm on their demand for an Islamic government. Shaheen didn’t elaborate on what an Islamic government would look like or whether it would mean a return to their repressive rules that denied girls education and imposed harsh punishments. Shaheen did not say whether the Taliban would accept elections, but he emphasised that the government of President Ghani would not fit their definition of an Islamic government.
