The United States signed a deal with the Taliban in Qatari capital Doha on February 29, 2020 that could pave the way for a full withdrawal of foreign soldiers from Afghanistan over the next 14 months.
While the agreement creates a path for the U.S. to gradually pull out of its longest war, many feel that the talks, scheduled to take place between the Afghan sides, could be much more complicated.
The deal was signed by U.S. Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was present.
Deal Points
- The US and NATO allies have agreed to withdraw all troops within 14 months if the militants uphold the historic deal.
- Under the agreement, the militants also agreed not to allow al-Qaeda or any other extremist group to operate in the areas they control.
- The deal provides for a prisoner swap. About 5,000 Taliban prisoners and 1,000 Afghan security force prisoners would be exchanged by 10 March 2020, when talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government are due to start.
- The US will ift sanctions against the Taliban and work with the UN to lift its separate sanctions against the group.
Background
- The United States of America had invaded Afghanistan weeks after the September 2001 attacks on World Trade Centre in New York by al-Qaeda, then based in Afghanistan.
- The Taliban were ousted from power but became an insurgent force that by 2018 was active in more than two-thirds of the country.
- More than 2,400 US troops have been killed during the conflict. About 12,000 are still stationed in the country
