Taliban planning to isolate Afghanistan's capital, Kabul: US Defence Chief General Mark Milley

Washington/Yekaterinburg: – General Mark Milley, head of the US Defence Department, warned, ‘The Taliban have besieged the capitals of 17 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, cornering the Afghan government and people. The Taliban will take similar action in the capital, Kabul, and this is a step in the right direction for the Taliban.’ At the same time, General Milley expressed a possibility that the Taliban could take complete control of Afghanistan. Meanwhile, in recognition of the success of the Taliban in Afghanistan, Tajikistan has begun military exercises near the Afghan border.

The Taliban claimed control of 85 per cent of Afghanistan’s territory. The Taliban’s success is due to the rapid deployment of US troops, and it is feared that the militant group will soon take complete control of Afghanistan.

The Taliban’s success is due to the rapid withdrawal of US troops, and it is feared that the militant group will soon take complete control of Afghanistan. But as per the agreement reached with the United States in Doha last year, it was decided that the Taliban will not take possession of Afghanistan’s provincial capitals, including the capital Kabul. Therefore, it is claimed that Kabul and other major cities will remain under the control of the Afghan government.

US Defence Secretary General Mark Milley told reporters on Wednesday that it will be a success for the Taliban tactics even in that scenario. Gen. Milley pointed out that the Taliban is taking control of districts in Afghanistan and cornering the people in the provincial capitals. At a meeting in Qatar last week, the Taliban also sought to pressure the Afghan government. This will further test the will of the Afghan leadership and its people.

Meanwhile, US military officials and former leaders have consistently indicated that Afghanistan will soon fall into the hands of the Taliban. This has raised concerns among the northern countries such as Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, a part of the erstwhile USSR. Against this backdrop, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have increased their deployments along the Afghan border. Russia has also brought its tanks and armies closer to the Afghan border of these countries.