The Taliban, the main Afghan insurgent group seeking to rule the country once again, has said capturing Kabul is “not Taliban policy” and any foreign troops left in Afghanistan after NATO’s September withdrawal deadline would be at risk as occupiers.  

The remark came from Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban’s spokesperson of the Doha Office, during an interview with the BBC. Significantly, the warning came amid media reports indicating around 650 US troops might stay after the withdrawal to protect its embassy staff in Kabul. 

Media reports also indicated that the UK government is also considering keeping a small contingent of its special forces in Kabul to assist/advise Afghan forces and for protecting its embassy as well.   

Suhail Shaheen made it clear said no foreign forces – including military contractors – should remain in the city after the withdrawal was complete. “If they leave behind their forces against the Doha agreement then in that case it will be the decision of our leadership how we proceed,” he said.

“We would react and the final decision is with our leadership,” he added.

He also reiterated that diplomats, NGOs, and other foreign civilians would not be targeted by the Taliban, adding no ongoing protection force for them as needed.

“We are against the foreign military forces, not diplomats, NGOs and workers and NGOs functioning and embassies functioning, he said, adding “that is something our people need. We will not pose any threat to them.”

He also termed the last week’s withdrawal from Bagram Airfield – once the largest US military base in Afghanistan – as a “historic moment”. During the interview, he denied that the group played any part in the recent uptick in violence.

Furthermore, he claimed most districts came under the Taliban’s control as the result of the negotiations by elders.  

(SAM)