Taliban vow counteraction over violation of Doha deal

KABUL (Pajhwok): Blaming the US for violating the Doha deal on the pullout of troops, The Taliban have threatened America with “counteraction”.

Under last year’s agreement between the Trump administration and the Taliban, all international troops had to exit Afghanistan by May 1.

But the withdrawal deadline was extended by President Joe Biden, who set September 11 as the new date for completing the pullout, a process that began on Saturday.

While rejecting Biden’s new deadline, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the movement’s leaders would decide on their future strategy.

In a statement, Mujahid said: “The May 1 deadline has passed, this violation in principle has opened the way for the Taliban to take every counteraction they deems appropriate against the occupation forces.”

Mujahid explained a decision on how to respond would not be made until the Taliban leadership evolved a consensus.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Interior spokesman Tariq Arian tweeted Taliban attacks could surge “because they think power can be gained through war. We are ready to respond.”

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