CIA warns Biden of the "Taliban" takeover of Afghanistan
A patrol of Afghan security officials in Herasak district, Nangarhar province, after security forces cleared the area of militants.
EPA
The New York Times reported that US intelligence agencies have informed President Joe Biden's administration that the Taliban may invade most of Afghanistan within two to three years, if US forces withdraw before the war parties reach a power-sharing agreement.
The newspaper quoted the day before yesterday, citing unnamed US officials, that such an invasion may allow Al Qaeda to rebuild its ranks in Afghanistan.
Biden has yet to make a decision on whether to adhere to the deadline for withdrawing the 3,500 US troops from Afghanistan on May 1, according to the agreement that the previous administration led by Donald Trump signed with the Taliban in February 2020.
The "New York Times" indicated that some American officials who support keeping US forces in Afghanistan are using the intelligence report to argue that the soldiers must stay beyond the deadline.
The White House declined to comment.
The newspaper said the classified report was prepared last year for presentation to the Trump administration.
Biden had said in his first press conference at the White House Thursday that it would be difficult to meet the deadline stipulated in the agreement, which also stipulates the departure of about 7,000 military personnel from the coalition forces.
But the US President also said that he “does not envision” the presence of US forces in Afghanistan next year.
On Friday, the "Taliban" movement threatened to resume fighting with foreign forces in Afghanistan if the deadline for their withdrawal in early May was not met.
Biden does not "imagine" the presence of US forces in Afghanistan next year.
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