KABUL/DOHA: The United States signed a historic deal with Taliban insurgents on Saturday (Feb 29) that could pave the way toward a full withdrawal of foreign soldiers from Afghanistan over the next 14 months and represent a step toward ending the 18-year-war there.
While the agreement paves the way for the United States to gradually pull out of its longest war, many expect that talks to come between the multiple Afghan sides will be far more complicated.
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The deal was signed in the Qatari capital Doha by US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
The pair then shook hands, as people in the room shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest).
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo looked on as the two inked the deal, after urging the insurgents to "keep your promises to cut ties with Al-Qaeda".
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper meanwhile travelled to Kabul on a visit that officials and experts said was aimed at reassuring the Afghan government about the United States' commitment to the country.
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READ: Taliban orders halt to attacks in Afghanistan ahead of US agreement
For US President Donald Trump, the deal represents a chance to make good on his promise to bring US troops home. But security experts have also called it a foreign policy gamble that would give the Taliban international legitimacy.
"Today is a monumental day for Afghanistan," the US Embassy in Kabul said on Twitter. "It is about making peace and crafting a common brighter future. We stand with Afghanistan."
Hours before the deal, the Taliban ordered all its fighters in Afghanistan "to refrain from any kind of attack … for the happiness of the nation."
"The biggest thing is that we hope the US remain committed to their promises during the negotiation and peace deal," said Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the hardline Islamist group.
Mujahid said it was "irritating and provocative" that foreign military aircraft continued to fly over Taliban territory, but militia fighters were following the order to stand down.
For millions of Afghans, the deal represents some hope for an end to years of bloodshed.
"Peace is extremely simple and my country deserves it. Today is the day when maybe we will see a positive change," said Javed Hassan, 38, a school teacher living on the outskirts of Afghan capital, Kabul.
Hassan's children were killed in a bomb blast carried out by the Taliban in 2018. Since then, he has been writing letters to world leaders urging them to end the Afghan war.
READ: Teenage Afghan guitar player eyes Taliban peace deal with trepidation
UNCERTAIN PROSPECTS
But prospects for peace remain uncertain given the next step is reaching agreement with the Afghan government.
Senior members of the Afghan government and countries surrounding Afghanistan have been concerned that the United States could abandon Kabul much like it was perceived to have left the region after the Soviet Union exited Afghanistan decades ago.
The accord also comes amid a fragile political situation in Afghanistan. The Independent Election Commission said on Feb 18 that Ghani won a Sep 28 vote beset by allegations of rigging, technical problems and other irregularities.
Afghanistan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah rejected the results, claimed to be the victor and vowed to name a parallel government.
Michael Kugelman, deputy director Asia Program at the Wilson Center, said of Esper's trip to Kabul that "Washington is essentially trying to show that its full strength is behind this deal and it wants to also indicate to Kabul that it's fully behind Afghanistan as the peace and reconciliation process moves toward a formal beginning."
"(Esper's trip is) perhaps an indication that the US is ready to essentially accept the new government in Afghanistan," he added.
READ: 'If peace comes': Afghans dream of life after war
The war, which has killed tens of thousands of people, began when the United States launched attacks on Afghanistan just weeks after the Sep 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington by thRead More – Source
KABUL/DOHA: The United States signed a historic deal with Taliban insurgents on Saturday (Feb 29) that could pave the way toward a full withdrawal of foreign soldiers from Afghanistan over the next 14 months and represent a step toward ending the 18-year-war there.
While the agreement paves the way for the United States to gradually pull out of its longest war, many expect that talks to come between the multiple Afghan sides will be far more complicated.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The deal was signed in the Qatari capital Doha by US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
The pair then shook hands, as people in the room shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest).
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo looked on as the two inked the deal, after urging the insurgents to "keep your promises to cut ties with Al-Qaeda".
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper meanwhile travelled to Kabul on a visit that officials and experts said was aimed at reassuring the Afghan government about the United States' commitment to the country.
Advertisement
Advertisement
READ: Taliban orders halt to attacks in Afghanistan ahead of US agreement
For US President Donald Trump, the deal represents a chance to make good on his promise to bring US troops home. But security experts have also called it a foreign policy gamble that would give the Taliban international legitimacy.
"Today is a monumental day for Afghanistan," the US Embassy in Kabul said on Twitter. "It is about making peace and crafting a common brighter future. We stand with Afghanistan."
Hours before the deal, the Taliban ordered all its fighters in Afghanistan "to refrain from any kind of attack … for the happiness of the nation."
"The biggest thing is that we hope the US remain committed to their promises during the negotiation and peace deal," said Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the hardline Islamist group.
Mujahid said it was "irritating and provocative" that foreign military aircraft continued to fly over Taliban territory, but militia fighters were following the order to stand down.
For millions of Afghans, the deal represents some hope for an end to years of bloodshed.
"Peace is extremely simple and my country deserves it. Today is the day when maybe we will see a positive change," said Javed Hassan, 38, a school teacher living on the outskirts of Afghan capital, Kabul.
Hassan's children were killed in a bomb blast carried out by the Taliban in 2018. Since then, he has been writing letters to world leaders urging them to end the Afghan war.
READ: Teenage Afghan guitar player eyes Taliban peace deal with trepidation
UNCERTAIN PROSPECTS
But prospects for peace remain uncertain given the next step is reaching agreement with the Afghan government.
Senior members of the Afghan government and countries surrounding Afghanistan have been concerned that the United States could abandon Kabul much like it was perceived to have left the region after the Soviet Union exited Afghanistan decades ago.
The accord also comes amid a fragile political situation in Afghanistan. The Independent Election Commission said on Feb 18 that Ghani won a Sep 28 vote beset by allegations of rigging, technical problems and other irregularities.
Afghanistan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah rejected the results, claimed to be the victor and vowed to name a parallel government.
Michael Kugelman, deputy director Asia Program at the Wilson Center, said of Esper's trip to Kabul that "Washington is essentially trying to show that its full strength is behind this deal and it wants to also indicate to Kabul that it's fully behind Afghanistan as the peace and reconciliation process moves toward a formal beginning."
"(Esper's trip is) perhaps an indication that the US is ready to essentially accept the new government in Afghanistan," he added.
READ: 'If peace comes': Afghans dream of life after war
The war, which has killed tens of thousands of people, began when the United States launched attacks on Afghanistan just weeks after the Sep 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington by thRead More – Source
