Taliban welcome NZ decision on troop withdrawal

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Taliban have hailed New Zealand’s announcement of withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan within months.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed that the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) would exit Afghanistan after 20 years of involvement in the conflict.

At least 10 troops from New Zealand have been killed during their mission in Afghanistan, where the war has cost them $300 million.

In a statement, a Taliban spokesman said: “New Zealand’s move to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan under the Doha Accords is welcome.”

Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted: “We call on all countries to do the same for their troops in Afghanistan’s long and unwinnable war.”

In last year’s pact with the Taliban, the US agreed to pull out all its forces from the country in return for security guarantees from the fighters.

On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said: “New Zealand will continue to be supportive of the Afghan government and its people in the years to come …”

PAN Monitor/mud

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