KABUL, 27 May 2021, (TON): The Taliban warned the departing US military against setting up bases in the region. The remarks come amid speculation the United States, as it withdraws the last of its soldiers from Afghanistan, will want a nearby locale from which to launch strikes against militant targets.
The warning also comes during stepped-up efforts to jump-start stalled peace talks between the government and the Taliban, possibly in Turkey.
Pakistan and the Middle Eastern State of Qatar have been pressing the Taliban to attend talks in Turkey. The Taliban refused to take part in UN-sponsored talks in Turkey last month.
President Joe Biden said in a speech “Washington would hold the Taliban and the government to its commitments to ensure Afghanistan could not again be used as a staging arena to attack the American homeland or its allies”.
Biden further added “We will not take our eye off the terrorist threat,”.
Besides airlifting its supplies, the United States is also moving equipment out of Afghanistan through Central Asia and Pakistan.
In their statement, the Taliban also warned against neighbouring countries allowing its territory to be used as a staging area for America.