The Pentagon said last week that the Taliban’s refusal to meet commitments to reduce violence raises questions about whether all U.S. troops will be able to leave by May as required under the U.S.-Taliban deal.
The development is significant as it means the warring sides are getting closer to actually starting to negotiate the issues that could end decades of fighting in Afghanistan and determine the country’s post-war future.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military announced a sudden visit to the Mideast by long-range, nuclear-capable B-52H bombers, underlining America's continuing presence in the region.
A human rights group urged nations participating in the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan to follow Australia's example and investigate the conduct of their own forces in the war.
The Taliban pledge came after a meeting with U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Gen. Austin Miller, commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, a Taliban figure familiar with the discussions said.
Even if a deal is reached, many Afghans fear that the country’s many factions, including the Taliban, will fight for power if U.S. and NATO troops leave.
Pentagon and State officials fear that putting a definitive date on troop withdrawal could undercut negotiations to finalize a peace deal between the Taliban and the Afghan government.