Taliban-US sign historic deal

The Dhaka Times Desk The United States has finally reached a peace deal with the Taliban, ending the 18-year-long Afghan war. On February 29, the historic Taliban and US peace agreement was signed in the presence of representatives of several countries and organizations in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

The agreement was signed by US Special Envoy Zalme Khalilzad and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also present at the signing ceremony. Senior government officials and foreign ministers of India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan participated in the historic signing ceremony.

On the other hand, a delegation of 31 members of the group participated in the signing ceremony under the leadership of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the head of the Taliban's political wing.

According to the accord, signed in Doha, Qatar, al-Qaeda and other extremist groups cannot operate in Taliban-controlled territory. Millions of Afghans hope the deal will pave the way for an end to America's long-running war inside the country.

The news agency Reuters reported that the agreement will result in the gradual withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. However, many have expressed doubts about whether the agreement will last for a long time due to the fear of various complications.

According to a BBC report, according to the agreement, the Taliban agreed not to carry out any attacks in Afghanistan. That is why the US and Washington's NATO allies will withdraw all troops from the country within the next 14 months.

After the agreement was signed, Taliban representative Mohammad Naim described the deal as an attempt to move forward. In an interview given to Al-Jazeera, he said that the Afghan war basically ended with this agreement.

In a statement, the Taliban said they had reached an agreement to end their occupation of Afghanistan. Under the terms of the agreement, world powers will withdraw all foreign troops from Afghan territory and not interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on the Taliban to keep their pledges after reaching a deal, saying, "I know there will be a temptation to declare victory now in the country." But the victory of the Afghans will be achieved only then; When they can live in peace and prosperity.

It should be noted that on September 11, 2001, the United States began attacking the country a few weeks after the attacks by another Afghan militant group, Al-Qaeda, in New York and Washington. For 18 years, the US attack in Afghanistan has resulted in the loss of millions of lives. At least 2,400 US soldiers have been killed in this one-and-a-half-century-long Afghan war.

Meanwhile, 13,000 US troops are currently deployed in Afghanistan. After the agreement, a joint statement of the Taliban and the United States said that the number of US troops in Afghanistan will be reduced to 8,600. At the same time, other commitments will also be implemented within 135 days of this joint declaration.

It is said that the Afghan government will participate in the United Nations Security Council meeting on May 29 and call for the withdrawal of all sanctions imposed on Taliban members.

Hours before the signing of the historic agreement, the Taliban ordered all fighters to refrain from any attack in Afghanistan for the sake of the nation. The group's spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said that we expect the United States to remain committed to its commitments during the peace agreement and reconciliation.