Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

US Night Raids Must End: Karzai

US Night Raids Must End: Karzai

KABUL - President Hamid Karzai said US night raids must end now, not just prior to or after 2014. He made the comments in an interview with Newsweek magazine.
US military commanders say night raids are their most successful military tactic in fighting the Taliban.
"Night raids by US forces on Afghan homes must end now," Mr Karzai said in the interview.

If Karzai sticks to this position, he may jeopardize talks to agree a long-term Afghan-US strategic pact, and the likelihood that a small training and special operations force will remain in the country after 2014, Newsweek said.

International combat troops are scheduled to withdraw from Afghanistan by 2014.
In the interview, Mr Karzai also expressed disgruntlement that the US had been talking to the Taliban without his knowledge about a Taliban liaison office in Qatar.

Washington had previously stressed that peace talks must be Afghan led and Afghan owned.
"[It's] definitely not [Afghan led,"] Newsweek quoted him as saying. "That's the problem. We have told the Americans that."

However, Mr Karzai said he will back the Qatar office for talks.
"We will go along with it for the return of peace to Afghanistan as soon as possible."

The president said he and his government will also pursue their own separate peace process with the Taliban.

"We have contacts with our fellow countrymen, the Taliban," he said. "It will continue."

He said he that believes the Taliban leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, is alive and is probably living in Pakistan.