226 killed in Taliban attacks

KABUL (Tolo News): An average of 11 to 49 soldiers and civilians have been killed in Taliban attacks in Afghanistan on a daily basis following the announcement of the withdrawal of US troops from the country on April 14, sources told TOLOnews.

According to statistics provided by sources, 226 Afghan civilians and military personnel have been killed in Taliban attacks in 24 provinces since April 15. Of the figure, 69 are civilians and 157 are security force members. Under the Doha agreement, the United States will officially start withdrawing their troops from Afghanistan on May 1. The process will be completed until September 11.

“Foreign forces are now ready to withdraw from Afghanistan, therefore the Taliban need to come to the negotiating table, the government should also avoid insisting on unpractical plans,” said senator Mohammad Alam Ezedyar. “Taliban has not addressed their commitment to reducing violence, and they think they can take over some cities,” said MP Khan Agha Rezaee.

Taliban recently said that the presence of US forces beyond May 1 will be considered as a violation of the Doha agreement. The group has warned to act what its leadership will ask them after May 1. “Violence has increased. I think if the Taliban-US relations do not change in the coming days, the peace process will face serious challenges ahead,” said Faiz Zaland, a university lecturer in Kabul.