Taliban Dismisses US Report on Growing Threats in Afghanistan
The Taliban has rejected a report from the United States Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), which stated that foreign armed groups and domestic security threats have escalated in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesperson, denounced the report as propaganda and asserted that Afghanistan is currently experiencing its most stable period in 40 years.
Mujahid emphasized that the Taliban, known as the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan, maintains full control over the country and will not tolerate any attempts to destabilize Afghanistan or utilize its territory against other nations. According to the spokesperson, SIGAR’s report wrongly portrays the Taliban government as facing significant security challenges, while Mujahid insists that Afghanistan is now enjoying security and stability unparalleled in recent decades.
Mujahid further stated that no foreign armed groups are active in Afghanistan and that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been greatly weakened and is close to defeat. He concluded by affirming the Taliban’s desire for positive and constructive relations with the international community, including the United States.
The Taliban has emphasized its compliance with the 2020 Doha Agreement with the US, in which it pledged not to allow armed groups to operate within Afghanistan. This agreement facilitated the withdrawal of foreign forces after 20 years of conflict, leading to the rapid collapse of the Western-backed Afghan government and the Taliban’s return to power. However, the Taliban accuses the US of failing to fulfill its promises, resulting in Afghanistan’s diplomatic isolation.
The Taliban’s authority has faced significant challenges from an Islamic State affiliate known as the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP). ISKP has claimed responsibility for various attacks targeting both civilians and Taliban officials, including provincial governors. In response, the Taliban has launched a crackdown on ISKP, conducting raids on its hideouts across multiple provinces.
Despite the ongoing security concerns, the Taliban maintains its position that Afghanistan poses no threat to any country. It remains to be seen how the situation will evolve as the Taliban government grapples with the complex security landscape and seeks to establish its legitimacy on the international stage.
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