Taliban Condemns US Airstrikes: Violation Of The Doha Accord, There Are Consequences

JAKARTA - The Taliban said the United States (US) will bear the consequences for the air strikes carried out to support the Afghan military which continues to be under attack as the withdrawal of US-led international troops from the country.

The United States has been carrying out air strikes in support of Afghan Government forces, who are under pressure from the Taliban as US-led foreign forces make the final stages of withdrawing from Afghanistan.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Thursday local time air strikes were carried out in support of Afghan security forces in recent days but gave no details.

Responding to the air strike, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the attack late Wednesday on the outskirts of the southern city of Kandahar killed three of their fighters and destroyed two vehicles.

"We confirm this air strike and we condemn this in the strongest terms. This is a clear attack and a violation of the Doha accord, because they cannot carry out operations after May," he said, referring to the deal between the United States and the Taliban, which opened way for the withdrawal of US troops.

"If they carry out any operation then they will be responsible for the consequences," said Mujahid. Reuters could not immediately reach a spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan to confirm the time and location of the strikes.

Under the initial withdrawal deal between the United States and the Taliban, brokered by the Trump administration and signed in the Qatari capital, Doha, all foreign troops will leave in May, if the Taliban meet security guarantees.

Earlier, President Joe Biden announced in April the withdrawal of US troops would be completed by September 11, angering the Taliban who had expected the withdrawal to be completed by May.

Since President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw, violence has escalated sharply with insurgents launching major attacks, taking districts and key border crossings and besieging or approaching several provincial capitals, including Kandahar.

To note, almost all US military personnel, except those assigned to protect the US Embassy in Kabul and the capital's airport, have left the country.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's warring Taliban side has held peace talks in Doha, but progress has been slow. Kandahar province has traditionally been a Taliban stronghold.

Fighting there has been fierce in recent weeks, with insurgents seizing the main border with Pakistan to the south, at Spin Boldak.