Taliban guarded foreign military bases for over a year

KABUL (Pajhwok): Continuing attacks on Afghan security forces, the Taliban have reportedly guarded western military bases in the country for more than a year.

The insurgent movement provided security for western bases in line with a secret annex to last year’s pact with the US in Doha, Reuters reported.

The media outlet said the US State Department did not immediately answer queries about the existence of such an additional document and what western officials called a “Taliban ring of protection”.

With some 2,000 US troops still in Afghanistan, Reuters quoted Western officials as saying said the Taliban guarded the foreign bases from attacks by groups like Daesh (Islamic State).

Taliban’s protection of the facilities, a good-faith measure, was part of the group’s promise to ensure Afghan soil was not used for attacks on US interests.

An unnamed Western diplomat told the news agency the militants provided a layer of cover, almost like a buffer, and asked their fighters not to harm any foreign soldier.

The diplomat acknowledged: “The Taliban swiftly responded to even minor attacks conducted by the Haqqani network and Islamic State fighters around the bases.”

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters: “So far our commitment of not attacking the foreign forces is until May 1. After that whether we will attack or not is an issue under discussion.”

PAN Monitor/mud