News report that Taliban guarded foreign forces bases unproven

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Taliban have rejected news reports that the group guarded foreign forces bases in Afghanistan for the past one year, but government claimed the Taliban would do everything to get power.

Claim: the Taliban guarded foreign forces bases in Afghanistan

Continuing attacks on Afghan security forces, the Taliban have reportedly guarded western military bases in the country for more than a year.

The insurgent movement provided security to western bases in line with a secret annex to last year’s pact with the US in Doha, Reuters reported.

US State Department has not spoken about secret annex to last year’s pact and the claim that the Taliban protected US forces bases in Afghanistan.

VoA Pashto and Wessa newspaper also published the report citing Reuters.

An unnamed Western diplomat told the news agency the militants provided a layer of cover, almost like a buffer, and asked their fighters not to harm any foreign soldier.

The diplomat acknowledged: “The Taliban swiftly responded to even minor attacks conducted by the Haqqani network and Islamic State fighters around the bases.”

Fact Check

The Taliban Qatar Office Spokesperson Mohammad Naeem on his twitter account rejected these reports.

He wrote: “Propaganda news reports circulating in the media that the Islamic Emirates Mujahideen guarded foreign forces bases in Afghanistan are baseless and are not true.”

National Security Advisor HamdullahMohib told reporters today that government was unaware of the development.

He said: “There is no doubt that the Taliban use every tool to get power. Whatever their masters order they accept it and there is no exception in these case.”

According to the US forces, no foreign soldier was harmed in Afghanistan after peace agreement between the Tailban and the US.

Outcome: The Taliban term reports regarding the protection of foreign forces base baseless.

Verdict: Unproven claim

Abdul Raqeeb Sail

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