Taliban through violence want to influence Doha talks: US

KABUL (Pajhwok): The US Department of State says the Taliban through intensifying their attacks seek leverage in the peace talks in Doha.

“The Taliban continue to maintain ties with Al-Qaeda have entrenched in the ranks and structures of the Taliban’s leadership and administration,” said Sean O’Donnell, the Pentagon’s chief of staff.

Cutting ties with terrorist groups, reducing violence and joining Afghan peace talks were among Taliban’s key commitments in the Feb 29 agreement, but the US and NATO officials have repeatedly said the Taliban are yet to cut ties with Al-Qaeda.

“Al-Qaeda welcomes the Afghan peace talks as a tool for its short-term goals, such as reducing the US and coalition military presence in Afghanistan, in order to avoid the pressure of the counter-terrorism operations and save themselves,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

In this quarterly report, from October 1st to December 31st, 2020, O”Donnell wrote to the US Congress that Al-Qaeda is willing to obey any directive from the Taliban to achieve its long-term goals for establishing a safe haven and base of operations in Afghanistan.

Referring to the escalation of violence and targeted killings in Afghanistan, the report said the Taliban had resorted to violence across the country in a strategic effort to increase their influence in the peace negotiations with the Afghan government.

Sa/ma