Kabul welcomed the US’ decision to keep thousands of troops in Afghanistan past next year, vowing to respond to a resurgent Taliban “with full force” even as the rebels promised to wage jihad until the last US soldier leaves.
US President Barack Obama’s decision on Thursday to keep a 9,800-strong US force in Afghanistan through much of next year came as he admitted that Afghan forces were not ready to stand alone.
Afghanistan welcomed the decision, saying in a statement that it “will respond to fear and terror with full force,” but adding that it will keep “ajar the door to peace.”
Photo: AFP
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also tweeted his support for the decision.
“Beside stability/development of AFG, we remain determined to strengthen the relations in the area of fighting terrorism now more than ever,” he wrote, using an abbreviation for Afghanistan.
Intense fighting has underscored the continued role of US troops in training the still fledgling Afghan forces and in vital counterterrorism operations.
Two weeks ago the Taliban scored their biggest military victory since the 2001 US-led invasion, capturing the city of Kunduz.
Only a swift response by Afghan security forces, backed by US and NATO troops, led to an eventual Taliban retreat.
This week the NATO coalition said US and Afghan forces had carried out one of their largest joint operations in southern Kandahar Province, dismantling a major al-Qaeda sanctuary in the Taliban’s historic heartland.
The Taliban responded to the US announcement saying they would keep fighting until American troops finally pull out.
“They were the ones who decided to invade Afghanistan, but it will be us who decide when they leave,” Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said. “When the attacks continue to mount on the occupiers and when they see they have to spend more money in their meaningless war, they will be forced to change their oppressive policy. Our jihad will continue until the last occupier is expelled.”
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