Taliban’s ‘Mansouri Operation’ Serves Foreign Interests: Abdullah

Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on Monday reacted at the announcement of ‘Spring Offensive’ by the Taliban group, adding that Afghan security forces will defeat the insurgents.

Speaking during the council of ministers meeting, Abdullah stated that Taliban offensive announcement is against the will of the Afghan people and can only serve the foreign interests on the Afghan soil.

Abdullah further added that the group still believe in war and have no intentions for peace.

He also undermined Taliban’s “Operation Mansouri”, saying that it is not the first time they have announced such offensive against the Afghan people and killed innocent Afghans.

Chief Executive assured people that the Afghan forces are ready not only to protect them but will also destroy the enemies and will return peace to the war-torn country.

The Taliban announced the start of the new season of war on Friday and named it after Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour, the previous supreme leader of the group who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan last year.

In other part of his speech, Abdullah said Afghanistan has never allowed interference of neighbor countries and his country has always been the victim of terrorism. 

“Afghanistan has never wanted and allowed to cause harm to its neighbors; meanwhile, Afghanistan has had so much sacrifices in fight against terrorism and combat against various groups.”   

Chief Executive Abdullah; however, considered the return of Hekmatyar to Afghanistan a positive move and expressed hope that other groups also lay down guns and join the Afghan government.