US reaffirms over-the-horizon counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): US has pledged to maintain the fight against al-Qa’ida, ISIS also known Daesh, and associated forces from over-the-horizon in Afghanistan.

As part of its National Security Policy, the US vowed to ensure Afghanistan never again serves as a safe haven for terrorist attacks on the United States or our allies and we will hold the Taliban accountable for its public commitments on counterterrorism.

“We ended America’s longest war, in Afghanistan, having long ago achieved our objective of delivering justice to Osama Bin Laden and other key leadership of al-Qa’ida,” reads a document.

It added “Today’s terrorist threat is more ideologically diverse and geographically diffuse than that of two decades ago. Al-Qa‘ida, ISIS, and associated forces have expanded from Afghanistan and the Middle East into Africa and Southeast Asia. Syria, Yemen, and Somalia remain terrorist sanctuaries; local affiliates have become entrenched actors in regional conflicts.”

“Many of these groups still intend to carry out or inspire others to attack the United States and our interests abroad, even as years of sustained counterterrorism and law enforcement pressure have constrained their capabilities, and enhanced security measures and information sharing have improved our defenses. Meanwhile, we face sharply increased threats from a range of domestic violent extremists here in the United States.”

This comes that acting Afghan government often pledged to remain committed to Doha Agreement signed with the US. The agreement bound acting Afghan government not to allow its soil to be used against other nations.

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