Ghani declares “defeat” of Taliban as claims victory

President Ashraf Ghani warned Taliban that with continuation of war they should not expect gifts from Afghan government but they will face strong defeat from Afghan forces.

Afghan president is said to consider Taliban’s war aim giving privilege, emphasizing Afghan security forces will gain victory in the current war and no one should think of the collapse of the current system of parts of the country.

More than a decade of war and billions in funds to build up an Afghan military force have now Afghan government claims of Taliban insurgency defeat in the season.

Following the end of the U.S. military’s combat mission last year, the Taliban insurgents have overrun dozens of checkpoints throughout the country and threatened entire districts.

The army has rushed forces to take back terrain, but it doesn’t have enough troops to defend every place under assault.

The drawdown of U.S. forces has left the Afghan military largely without U.S. airstrikes for protection and helicopters for quick medical evacuation off the battlefield, vital support in the past.

The result: Afghan casualties have jumped 70% in the first 15 weeks of this year to record levels: 4,950 police and soldiers killed or wounded, up from 2,900 during the same period last year, according to the U.S.-led coalition command.

Beside President Ghani, representatives of 50 countries and international organizations are also raise concerns of increasing terrorism threats in the region and the world.

“Daesh (Islamic State) is already sending advance guards to southern and western Afghanistan to test for vulnerabilities,” Ghani said.

He said Afghanistan, whose Taliban government sheltered al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, would never again host terrorists. He urged all Muslims to speak out against extremism.

“In fact, we want a bilateral peace, peace between Afghanistan-Pakistan and peace with oppositions. Pakistan also admired that a war situation announced between the two countries in the past,” Ghani added.

“The problem, fundamentally, is not about peace with the Taliban [but] about peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” noting that Pakistani officials have “accepted this definition of the problem. That’s the breakthrough.”

Fighting between Afghan forces and militants has intensified since the Taliban launched its annual spring offensive against Afghan forces and foreign embassies on April 24.

Afghanistan faces a security challenge years after the United States and its allies invaded the country in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed Taliban from power, but many areas in the country are still witnessing violence, which threatens stability.

Ghani also warned that a “new ecology of terrorism” poses a threat to South and Central Asia as well as China.

In the meantime, President Ghani also announced Masoom Istanikzai, chairman of the High Peace Council Secretariat as the defense minister nominee.

“I announce Mr. Istanikzai as our future defense minister and I hope success for him,” Ghani announced.

Looking ahead to a scenario in which Afghanistan achieves peace with the Taliban, Ghani said the Afghan government would then have to cope with the problem of refugees created by years of conflict. Many Afghan refugees live in camps across the border in Pakistan.

Reported by Fawad Naseri