03 April 2017

News Story: Russia Backs Taliban Call to Withdraw Foreign Troops

Russia this week said it supports the Taliban’s demand for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and that this call by the insurgent group was “justified”.

According to a Bloomberg report, President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, said in an interview in Moscow that the Taliban’s call was “justified” in terms of opposing foreign military presence.

“Who’s in favor? Name me one neighboring state that supports it,” he asked.

In response to these comments, Sediq Sediqqi, head of Afghanistan's Government Media and Information Center (GMIC), said on twitter that "Russia ties and links with Taliban will encourage this group (Taliban) to intensify their attacks on civilians as ANSF have defeated them on the ground!"

He also said this could lead to the Taliban and other terrorist groups turning "Afghanistan again into a terrorist safe haven."

This comes amid growing tension between Russia and the U.S over Afghanistan.

Read the full story at TOLOnews