The radical Taliban movement insists that there will be no peace in Afghanistan until President Ashraf Ghani is overthrown in Kabul. This was stated in an interview with the Associated Press by the spokesman for the movement Suhail Shahin.
As long as Ghani remains president, he said, the government’s demands for a ceasefire are tantamount to demanding the surrender of the Taliban. Shahin argues that an agreement must be reached on a new government that will suit both the Taliban and other Afghans before a ceasefire. In this case, there will be no war.
Nobody wants a civil war, including mesaid Shahin
The Taliban spokesman stressed that the movement has no plans for a military offensive against Kabul, and they “refrain” from taking the provincial capitals. However, Shahin warned that such a thing is within their power, thanks to the weapons and equipment obtained in the previously captured territory.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said negotiations with the Taliban in Moscow indicate that they are “sane people”. The minister believes that officials in Kabul should start negotiations with the Taliban as soon as possible and not try to maintain uncertainty.
The situation in Afghanistan has worsened since the withdrawal of American troops. The Taliban and government forces have come into conflict.
On July 23, the country’s army liberated the Karukh region of the Herat province in western Afghanistan from militants. Defense Ministry spokesman Fawad Aman said dozens of Taliban fighters were killed or wounded.
