The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Norway and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) said they are closely monitoring developments in Afghanistan in conjunction with the withdrawal of international coalition forces.

The representatives of these countries and entities added - in a joint statement - that their countries are deeply concerned about the high level of violence and the military offensive of the Taliban, and the increase in grave violations of human rights.

The statement called on all parties to reduce violence, protect civilians and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, and stressed support for peace efforts in accordance with determinants, including the protection of human rights and women, and ensuring that Afghanistan is not used again as a safe haven for terrorists.

These countries and entities welcomed the talks that took place between Afghan leaders in Doha, and commended Turkey's readiness to help maintain the security of Afghanistan's airports.

Blinken warned of a forcible takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban (Reuters)

Taliban control

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken had warned that the Taliban's control of Afghanistan by force would turn it into a pariah state and deprive it of international support.

In statements to the US channel "MSNBC", the US Secretary expressed his country's concern about the Taliban's attempt to control Afghanistan by force, stressing that the United States will face any danger that poses a threat.

Blinken said his country is keen that Afghanistan does not turn into a training ground for terrorists, and confirmed his country's involvement in diplomatic efforts, because there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, as he put it.


Condemnation of the American attacks

For its part, the movement condemned the US attacks last Wednesday on its fighters, bearing the consequences, and considered the raids a clear violation of the Doha agreement.

The movement confirmed that the US forces launched air raids on it in the provinces of Kandahar and Helmand (southern Afghanistan).

The movement also considered the announcement by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani of plans to launch a major operation against the Taliban in the coming months as a military escalation, and the government in Kabul must bear its repercussions.

The movement stressed that it will defend with full force its areas of control, and will choose, for this purpose, the strategy of attack rather than defense.

On the other hand, the Afghan Ministry of Defense denied the statements of the Taliban, and its claim of controlling 90% of the borders with neighboring countries, and considered them completely untrue.

The ministry added that the government forces impose their control on the borders, and that what the Taliban announced in this regard is a complete lie, as it put it.

Muhammad Naim said that the movement's statements towards President Ashraf Ghani were incorrectly understood (Al-Jazeera)

Taliban and rich

In a related context, the spokesman for the political office of the Taliban, Muhammad Naim, denied that the movement had stipulated the dismissal of President Ashraf Ghani for a ceasefire.

During an interview with Al Jazeera, he said that some media outlets had incorrectly interpreted the statements of the movement's spokesman, Muhammad Suhail Shaheen.

Earlier, media outlets quoted Shaheen as saying that the movement had no intention of monopolizing power, denying that the Taliban were planning to launch an attack on Kabul.

And media outlets quoted Shaheen as saying that peace in Afghanistan will not be achieved before the dismissal of President Ghani and the formation of a new government acceptable to all Afghans.