Afghanistan: American strike and Taliban attacks, peace is fading

Text by: RFI Follow

The United States carried out an aerial bombardment on Taliban fighters in Wednesday, March 4, in the province of Helmand, in the south of Afghanistan, announced a spokesman for the American forces. It is the first American strike since the agreement signed Saturday by Washington and the Taliban for an American military withdrawal from the country.

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Colonel Sonny Leggett, spokesman for the US forces in Afghanistan, justified the strikes on Twitter. According to him, the Taliban " were actively attacking a roadblock [of the Afghan security forces]. It was a defensive strike to stop the attack . "

The United States remains committed to the peace process, the spokesman added. They urge the Taliban to end their " unnecessary attacks " and to honor their commitments. A clear allusion to the agreement signed Saturday in Doha , which provides for both a withdrawal within 14 months from the American contingent and the opening of negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban.

"Very good relationship" between Trump and Mullah Baradar

This American "defensive strike" responds to a series of Taliban attacks during the night of Tuesday to Wednesday. At least 20 Afghan soldiers and police were killed.

The attacks came just after Donald Trump's unusual telephone conversation with the chief Taliban official, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. " An excellent conversation, " tweeted the American president, who also praised his "excellent relationship" with Mullah Baradar. The tenant of the White House wants to hurry to finish with eighteen years of American military presence, with a view to his realection next November.

Afghan President refuses

In recent days, Taliban insurgents have intensified attacks against the Afghan security forces, ending the partial truce set up a week before the signing of the agreement with Washington. An agreement that includes a commitment on the part of the Kabul government to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for 1,000 captives.

In the eyes of the insurgents, this was a precondition for the resumption of inter-Afghan negotiations. A request denied by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who was not involved in negotiations with the Americans.

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• afghanistan
• United States
• Taliban
• Donald trump

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