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KABUL: The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned the Taliban that Washington would not meet any of their demands if they continue violence and crimes.
He said Tuesday that Taliban want international recognition, removal the names of their leaders from the UN blacklist and freely travels to every country, warning that if the group doesn’t reduce violence and crimes, their demands would not be accepted.
“We have been witnessing crimes in different Taliban-held areas. These reports are a matter of concern and unacceptable. This shows a big issue that Taliban seek more things. They are trying to be internationally recognized and receive international support. They want their leaders to freely travel in the world and they want the end of sanctions. But if Taliban try to take the country by force or commit crimes, none of them will be done,” said Blinken.
He reiterated Washington’s continued cooperation with Kabul after the troop withdrawal, saying that they would go on diplomacy to find political settlement between Afghan government and Taliban.
Meanwhile, the US embassy in Kabul in a statement accused Taliban and Daesh of killing 40 civilians in the Malestan district of Ghazni, saying if true, the incident could be a war crime.
Issued on Tuesday, the statement said that tens of civilians were killed just in avenger killings in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province, calling Taliban accountable.
The Afghan defense ministry said that the US bombers pounded Taliban targets in the provinces of Herat and Helmand.
Taliban Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also confirmed the airstrikes by the US air force, calling it against the Doha peace deal with Washington.
On Monday, President Ghani called on Taliban to choose either peace or war, threatening that he would “break Taliban’s bones” if they refuse to join the peace negotiations.
