US signs deal to end 18-year war that cost more than $750 billion in Afghanistan
(Baonghean.vn) - Signing a peace agreement with the Taliban opens the way for the US to end the war that has lasted more than 18 years in Afghanistan, costing more than 750 billion USD and killing tens of thousands of people.
On February 29, the US and the Taliban are expected to sign a peace agreement in the capital city of Doha, Qatar. US President Donald Trump announced that he had sent Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to witness the agreement. This agreement opens up the opportunity to end the longest war the US has ever participated in.
The US and the Taliban signed a peace deal after the Taliban's demand for a week-long reduction in violence was largely met. In the past week, 14 security personnel and four civilians were killed in clashes, a sharp decrease from the previous week.
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| Mr. Donald Trump announced that he had sent Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to witness the signing of the peace agreement with the Taliban. Photo: AP |
Under the deal, the Taliban pledged not to allow extremist forces to use Afghanistan as a springboard to attack the US and its allies. In return, the US pledged to reduce the number of US troops stationed in Afghanistan from 13,000 to 8,600.
The subsequent withdrawal process will depend on the Taliban meeting US counter-terrorism conditions, which will be strictly monitored by the US. However, it is not clear whether US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will sign the agreement on behalf of the US or just witness the signing ceremony.
In a speech before the signing ceremony, US President Donald Trump declared this an important milestone, opening the way for the US to end the long war in Afghanistan and bring its soldiers home. The war in Afghanistan has lasted for more than 18 years and has cost the US more than 750 billion USD and killed tens of thousands of people.
“These commitments are an important step toward a lasting peace in Afghanistan, one that will be free of al-Qaida, ISIS, and any other terrorist group that can seek to do us harm.”
Signing the agreement with the Taliban is a step toward fulfilling President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign pledge to reduce the US military presence abroad.
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| The Taliban have basically fulfilled their commitment to reduce violence within a week. Photo: AP |
However, Mr. Donald Trump also appeared quite cautious about the possible results in negotiations with the Taliban, so the negotiations and signing ceremony were not reported in a ostentatious manner like the US-North Korea negotiations.
The signing of the peace deal in Doha will pave the way for talks between the Taliban and political forces in Afghanistan, including the government of President Ashraf Ghani.
Analysts say this is the real challenge for the peace process in this South Asian country. So far, details about the content of negotiations between internal forces of Afghanistan have not been revealed.
