The United States’ demand to maintain long-term military bases in war-torn Afghan country has emerged much as a sticking point in the talks held with the Taliban to put an end to the 17-year-long war in Afghanistan, according to media reports.
The report came after the US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad stepped up his the efforts to bring the Taliban under the negotiation table with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, and Russia, who were involved in the discussion of the peace process since past few months.
The Express Tribune quoted the officials as saying the US, in return for its demand in Afghan, would be providing substantial financial assistance for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Afghanistan country.
Although the Taliban have repeatedly called on the US to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan, they hinted to discuss a suggestion of the US to maintain certain of its bases in the negotiation held in the UAE. In return, the US also wants some guarantee from the Taliban government that the Afghanistan ground would not be used as a staged attack in other countries.
The latest push seeking a political solution to end the 17-year-long war in Afghanistan has brought the UAE and Saudi Arabia under the negotiation table at the centre stage in the Afghan peace process.
The US wants to impose pressure on the Taliban in order to accept US’ main demands. And since then, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been trying to convince the Taliban to accept the US demand in return for some major share in the Afghanistan government.
One of the senior US officials told The Express Tribune Washington wants to maintain its “permanent bases” in Afghanistan, adding, “And that’s been the sticking point in the ongoing talks.”
The official said those “permanent bases” would have no primary role in the Afghan security but would be meant for overall regional stability in the country.
The Taliban were told the “minimal presence of the US forces” would help continue US financial and other assistance to Afghan for the reconstruction efforts. Other objectives include maintaining close ties with the future Afghanistan government to ensure the country doesn’t become a safe haven for any of the terrorist organizations.