Afghan government blasts Taliban’s spring offensives

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) – Urging the Taliban to engage in direct peace talks, the Afghan government on Saturday condemned the spring offensives just announced by the insurgents.

The Arg (presidential palace) said in a statement that the Taliban announced their so-called spring offensives amid intensified efforts by the Afghan government to put a peaceful end to the “imposed war” in the country. Referring to ongoing talks between the U.S. and the Taliban, the Kabul government urged pro-peace elements within the insurgents to shun violence and bloodshed.

It added that the Taliban and their regional allies are pursuing power through the “imposed war,” but the Afghan government will defend every inch of its territory.

Separately, Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. envoy to Afghanistan, branded the Taliban’s Al-Fath spring offensive “reckless,” and urged Pakistan and Qatar in particular to condemn it.

“At a time when all Afghans should come together in talks to determine a common future, a call for fighting suggests the Taliban are stuck in the ways of the past. Many Talibs including fighters and some leaders oppose this announcement,” he said on Twitter.

On Friday, the Taliban launched the annual spring offensives with the declared intention of overrunning large areas, including townships.

Las year saw the Taliban entered landmark face-to-face talks for peace with the U.S., but the Kabul government has yet to be made part of these talks.