Nato: Taliban risk military strikes if they host terrorists again

The Taliban must not let Afghanistan become a breeding ground for terrorism again, Nato said yesterday, warning that the alliance after its withdrawal still has the military power to strike any terrorist group from a distance.“Those now taking power have the responsibility to ensure that international terrorists do not regain a foothold,” Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in his first news conference since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban.“We have the capabilities to strike terrorist groups from a distance if we see that terrorist groups again try to establish themselves and plan, organise attacks against Nato allies and their countries,” he added.The fight against al Qaeda, the militant organisation responsible for the 9/11 attacks whose leadership was hosted by the Taliban, was the main reason for the West’s intervention in Afghanistan in 2001 in what was to become Nato’s first major operation beyond Europe.But as the alliance wrapped up military operations this summer after almost two decades, the Taliban rapidly advanced, capturing the biggest cities in days. The sudden takeover of the capital, Kabul, caused thousands of people to flee to the city’s airport, which is still being held by the US military, desperate to get on evacuation flights.In Brussels, a female Afghan journalist on the verge of tears asked Stoltenberg what the West would do for all those vulnerable back in her country, leaving the Nato chief visibly moved.Stoltenberg called on the Taliban to facilitate the departure of all those who want to leave the country, and said that Western defence allies had agreed to send more evacuation planes to Kabul.At the same time, he expressed frustration with the Afghan leadership, blaming it for the Taliban’s easy success.“Part of the Afghan security forces fought bravely,” Stoltenberg said. “But they were unable to secure the country, because ultimately the Afghan political leadership failed to stand up to the Taliban and to achieve the peaceful solution that Afghans desperately wanted.”The EU foreign policy chief said yesterday it will only cooperate with the Taliban if they respect fundamental rights, including those of women, and prevent the use of Afghanistan’s territory by terrorists.Josep Borrell outlined the EU’s stance in a statement after an emergency meeting of European Union foreign ministers to discuss the Taliban’s quick seizure of the Afghan capital Kabul. “I haven’t said that we are going to recognise the Taliban,” Borrell told a news conference. “I just said that we have to talk with them for everything, even to try to protect women and girls. Even for that, you have to get in touch with them.”The Taliban, in their first official news briefing since the seizure of Kabul, said they wanted peaceful relations with other countries and would respect the rights of women within the framework of Islamic law.Their announcement, short on details but suggesting a softer line than during their rule 20 years ago, was made as the United States and Western allies evacuated diplomats and civilians the day after scenes of chaos at Kabul airport as Afghans thronged the airfield.Borrell said the EU’s priority was to evacuate EU staff and Afghan helpers from Kabul. He put the number of locals who have been working for the EU at almost 400, their families included. Spain has offered to act as a hub to receive these people before they are sent on to EU countries that have offered them shelter, he said.Humanitarian aid for Afghans must be maintained and even increased, but assistance will only go to the Afghan government if conditions are met, Borrell said.