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Saleh accuses US of legitimizing Taliban which he says are ‘terrorists’

Published

5 years ago

May 11, 2021

Afghanistan’s First Vice President Amrullah Saleh said on Monday that the American government had “legitimized” the Taliban and that now Afghans need the United States “to remain engaged”.

Amid the withdrawal process of all foreign troops, Saleh said in an interview with CBS News, that it is his responsibility on a daily basis to “outline the risks and the threats and put them in front of ourselves,” adding that he also looks at what can be done with Afghan resources, and with whatever the United States will leave behind.

“The days of counting on those types of extraordinary assets and resources, over-the-horizon air assets … is over. And we are not — we are not telling the United States don’t end it. They have taken a decision, and we respect that decision. I’m sure they have calculated the risks. But if you ask me to remind them what is the risk, Taliban are terrorists,” he said.

Saleh stated that the US “absolutely” legitimized the Taliban and that he does not trust the group.

“The United States legitimized them. The [Taliban’s] Doha office is a creation of the United States. Getting Mullah Baradar out of the [Pakistan] jail is an invention of the United States.

“Allowing them to travel here and there is with the help of the United States. Of course, the Doha agreement [signed in February last year] is between the United States and the Taliban.

“They should be held accountable. At the end of the day, United States is a superpower, unless it says I’m not. It’s a superpower, and they have leverage all over. We respect that leverage because, as a needy country, we need the United States to remain engaged– engaged diplomatically, economically, strategically,” he said.

“You know, as I said, what you see as a change in Afghanistan is largely, largely due to investment of the United States here.”

Related Topics:Attacks featured leverage NATO peace Saleh Taliban US VP

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Khalilzad questions Pakistan’s commitment to Afghan welfare

Published

12 hours ago

September 26, 2026

Ariana News

Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.

Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.

Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”

Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.

He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.

Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”

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India, UN envoy discuss Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs

Published

12 hours ago

September 26, 2026

Ariana News

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.

Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.

The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.

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Kazakhstan calls for coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan

Published

13 hours ago

September 26, 2026

Ariana News

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.

Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.

He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.

Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.

He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.