LONDON, 17 November 2021, (TON): The head of UK armed forces, Gen. Nick Carter, said that the UK must engage with the Islamic Emirate to provide support for local Afghan allies and to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.

He said “we certainly have to engage them for a number of reasons. I mean, first and foremost, there are still Afghans who worked with us who we are worried will be the subject of vendettas, and we would like to see them find a way out of Afghanistan, and we would like to look after them to achieve that.”

He added “secondly, we’re very worried about the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, and that’s been in the media this week.”

He further said “according to Carter, the UK needs to persuade the “Taliban” to form an inclusive government and respect human rights, especially of women and minorities in Afghanistan. “And if that doesn’t happen, then the answer is that we will have failed.”

Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate said “in reaction to Carter’s remarks, the Islamic Emirate said that the paths for negotiations are opened. If the neighboring countries have any concerns about any issue, the path for negotiations is opened. We can listen to their offers and concerns and can solve them through engagement.”

Referring to the fall of Kabul to the Islamic Emirate, General Carter said that hopes had been placed on the Afghan armed forces to create the circumstances for a political reconciliation.