Taliban threaten attacks if US misses May 1 deadline

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Taliban on Friday threatened “death and destruction” against US forces if they missed May 1 deadline of leaving Afghanistan.

The Taliban’s threats came hours after US President Joe Biden told a White House press conference that it will be hard to meet the deadline.

The US has agreed to pull out all troops from Afghanistan on May 1 as part of last year’s deal with the Taliban in Doha.

“If, God forbid, all foreign troops not withdraw from Afghanistan on the specified date in line with the Doha agreement, undoubtedly it will be considered a violation of the accord by America for which it shall be held liable and which shall also harm its international standing,” the insurgent group said in a statement posted to its Twitter account Friday.

“In such a case, the Islamic Emirate — as a representative of the believing, valiant and Mujahid Afghan nation — will be compelled to defend its religion and homeland and continue its jihad and armed struggle against foreign forces to liberate the country,” the statement continued.

“All responsibility for the prolongation of war, death and destruction will be on the shoulders of those whom committed this violation.”

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