US Negotiating with Taliban to Keep Certain Bases in Afghanistan
America has reportedly demanded Taliban to maintain certain bases in Afghanistan during negotiations held in the United Arab Emirate.
America has reportedly demanded Taliban to maintain certain bases in Afghanistan during negotiations held in the United Arab Emirate.
Although the Taliban have repeatedly demanded complete withdrawal of the US forces from Afghanistan, they showed an inclination to discuss the suggestion of the US maintaining certain bases in the recent negotiations held in the UAE.
And since then, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been trying to convince the Taliban to accept the US demand in return for a major share in the Afghan government and other incentives.
One senior official, who is privy to the negotiations, told The Express Tribune that Washington wants to maintain ‘permanent bases’ in Afghanistan.
“And that’s been the sticking point in the ongoing talks,” added the official, who requested anonymity since he was not authorised to the media on the subject.
The official said, according to the US, those bases would have no role in the Afghan security but meant for maintaining presence for an overall regional stability.
Pakistan is not averse to the US’ demand but wants a ‘regional consensus’ on it since permanent presence of the US military in Afghanistan would certainly raise eyebrows in Russia, Iran and even China.
