The Afghan government revealed that the Taliban proposed a three-month conditional ceasefire. There are reports that the government has regained control of the border crossing points. At the same time, fighting in multiple areas continues. Washington reiterated its adherence to diplomatic processes and negotiations. And promised to transfer U.S. military partners to foreign countries.
Nader Naderi, a spokesman for the Afghan government delegation participating in the peace talks, said that the Taliban had proposed a three-month ceasefire in exchange for the release of some 7,000 detainees in government prisons and part of them. The leader’s name is removed from the UN blacklist.
On the other hand, government sources told Al Jazeera that the Taliban’s proposal for a three-month ceasefire was an old agreement that had previously been rejected by the government.
On the other hand, John Kirby, a spokesperson for the Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs of the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon), told Al Jazeera that he believes that the Afghan army has a military advantage and can protect security because they have the air force, special forces, and the most soldiers. And added, “They can choose to take advantage of these advantages.”
Kirby added, “For many years, we have seen the Afghan army advance on the ground,” and emphasized that the nature of its support will change, which may include financial and logistical support provided by his country and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). “Maybe there is military support.”
In response to a question from Al Jazeera, a spokesperson for the Pentagon stated that “we currently have no intention of withdrawing our diplomats from Afghanistan” and explained that the purpose of the soldiers staying in Afghanistan is to protect the diplomats.
Kirby said, “We will continue to promote a political solution, because this is the only guarantee of progress.”
In Washington, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that the Doha peace talks and diplomatic process are the only way to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Price called the execution of government forces by Taliban militants heinous and shameless, but the Taliban denied it yesterday.
Zalme Khalilzad, the U.S. government’s special representative for Afghanistan’s reconciliation affairs, emphasized that the military solution has not succeeded, nor has it succeeded in forcing the Taliban to accept conditions acceptable to Washington or other parties in Afghanistan.
At a seminar hosted by the Beirut Institute, Khalilzad delivered a speech in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, via the Internet, questioning the feasibility of advancing an unworkable solution.
Regarding the issue of US troop withdrawal, Khalilzad denied that it turned Afghanistan into a war zone, because Afghanistan has not had peace for 43 years. He added that the withdrawal paved the way for the first talks between the warring parties in Afghanistan.
In this context, the US Embassy in Kabul issued a brief statement stating that all parties in the country should resolve the conflict only at the negotiating table.
Official NATO sources told Al Jazeera that the alliance is committed to supporting the ongoing peace process led by Afghanistan and will continue to work to strengthen security and support the results achieved.
The spokesperson added that the situation in Afghanistan is still full of difficulties, with many risks and challenges, and emphasized that there is no military solution to the crisis and the country’s future is in the hands of the Afghans.
Partner transfer
Regarding the US military’s Afghan collaborators-they fear that their lives will be threatened after the US military withdraws-the White House announced that about 20,000 Afghans have applied for visas to enter the United States.
The White House added: “We are not considering transferring Afghan translators to countries that are insecure or do not respect them.”
A Pentagon spokesperson said in a statement to Al Jazeera today, “We have reached the final stage of recommending the transfer of Afghan collaborators abroad.”
The Pentagon yesterday announced a plan to transfer partners to other countries or US military bases in preparation for their residence permit in the United States.
Regarding European news, Nabila Masrali, spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs Coordinator Jose Borreli, announced that the EU is “very concerned” about the security situation caused by the Taliban and accused the Taliban’s response to constitute peace. Obstacles to the process and responsible for violence that contradicts the Doha Agreement.
Maslari said, “We are developing security measures to ensure the safety of European personnel in (this) country,” but did not elaborate.
Another assistant of Borelli announced on Tuesday that “it is not necessary to evacuate the staff involved in European development assistance at this stage, whether in Kabul or anywhere else”, but the decision made by member states may change the balance of the situation, especially in After France and Germany require their nationals to leave Afghanistan.
Khalilzad (left) visits Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan (Anadolu News Agency)The battle continues
Regarding battlefield news, an Afghan government source said that a mortar shell hit their house in the eastern part of Laghman Province, killing 5 civilians and wounding 12 others.
In Ghazni (located in the central part), a source told Al Jazeera that 8 civilians were killed and 9 injured as a result of fighting between the Taliban and government forces.
According to security sources, an explosion occurred in Jalalabad in the eastern part of the country, causing casualties, but it is not yet clear how many people were killed or the nature of the explosion.
On the other hand, the Taliban announced that their militants had taken control of the Al Gandab regional headquarters in the southern Kandahar province of the country, but the government denied this.
The Ministry of Defense stated that 18 Taliban militants were killed in an air strike in the western province of Herat.
At the same time, local media reported that the government and the Taliban had reached a ceasefire agreement in the western state of Badghis.
On the other hand, Reuters quoted a government official as saying that his troops had regained control of the border crossing with Pakistan, and the Pakistani authorities announced today that it would reopen the border crossing.
The Taliban stated that they still control the town of Spinbodok where the border crossing was occupied by Taliban militants last Wednesday. This is the main route through which international forces have used most of the logistics in Afghanistan for the past 20 years.
In another case, a security source revealed to Al Jazeera that after the attack on Kandahar prison, 240 prisoners, including Taliban leaders, were transferred from Kandahar prison to Kabul.
.