KABUL - National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib has said the Taliban have not reformed themselves as the group intensified violence instead of reducing it after the Doha agreement.
During an exclusive interview with state-run Melli Television, Mohib said that during President Ashraf Ghani’s trip to the United States it was revealed that Washington would continue economic, political and security support with Kabul.
He said the US had assured continued support to Afghan forces with $3.3 million annually. Afghan forces training inside and outside the country will also continue.
“Afghanistan has strong forces and the fight against terrorism will be conducted by Afghan forces. There is no need for military bases outside Afghanistan. When Afghan forces are strengthened, they will do this themselves.”
Referring to current situation, he said there is no need to worry as the US and international community stood by the Afghans.
To a question, he said: “Strategic relations mean that the US will support Afghanistan. From day one the plan has been that Afghan security forces should be strengthened to the extent that they could maintain security on their own. Now the same support is underway with Afghans but is little premature.”
Mohib said the international community’s message was that they did not support Islamic Emirate.
According to the Afghan NSA, the Taliban should have entered ceasefire soon after the signing of Doha agreement to show to the world that they had reformed but they showed it to the world that they want power by force, they want war at the cost of Afghanistan infrastructure and wealth.
Referring to the loss of districts, Mohib said in war areas were sometimes lost and sometimes regained.
He said: “The Taliban were wrong about capturing districts as they miscalculated other things. By taking over district, people want services.”
He said the Taliban had imposed themselves on people, they ask people to provide them with food and the people of Afghanistan are poor and could not afford this.
He said the most important thing is the security of vital equipment which NATO held responsibility so far and in the future Afghan forces will take this responsibility.
He said Turkey representing NATO is responsible for Kabul airport security and external security would be provided by Afghan forces.
He said the government delegation has been in Doha for peace and if the Taliban are willing to talk, the delegation is there.
“Our first option is peace, if it cannot be established then we have the right to defend. This is an important trip which will further strengthen our security forces.”
“I told the Taliban one and half years ago that people will not accept your government by force, this society is bigger and you are a small group,” he noted. (Pajhwok)