The Taliban militants group in Afghanistan reacted towards the visit by the US defense secretary Ashton Carter in Afghanistan on Tuesday.
The visit by Carter followed days after the US and NATO leaders reaffirmed long term support to Afghanistan and the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF).
Renewing the group’s stance to continue insurgency in the country, the Taliban group spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said “Our struggle against the invaders shall continue until the complete independence of our country and establishment of pathway for an Islamic system. No threat can ever stop our struggle in this path.”
This comes as President Barack Obama announced last week to keep 8,400 US troops in Afghanistan through January 2017.
Obama had planned to draw down the number of American troops in the country to 5,500 by the end of the year. There are currently 9,800 U.S. troops in the country.
In the meantime, Obama last month approved broader role for the US military to assist the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) to fight the Taliban-led insurgency.
The US forces in Afghanistan launched strikes against the Taliban militants late last month and days after they were granted expanded authorities granted by Obama.
Source: Khaama Press
