Taliban warn Trump against troop increase in open letter

KABUL: The Taliban published an open letter to US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warning him against sending more American forces to Afghanistan, reports AFP.
The statement called for the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from the war-torn country and comes as Trump weighs increasing the number of American troops there.
"Previous experiences have shown that sending more troops to Afghanistan will not result in anything other than further destruction of American military and economical might.
"Therefore it would be wise if you adopt the strategy of a complete withdrawal from Afghanistan instead of a troops increase," said the English-language letter, which was sent to the media.
US troops in Afghanistan now number about 8,400, a far cry from the US presence of more than 100,000 six years ago. They mainly serve as trainers and advisers to Afghan forces.
Trump's administration is currently finalising a new policy for Afghanistan almost 16 years after the US invasion to topple the Taliban regime.
American military commanders in Afghanistan have requested thousands of extra boots on the ground to help combat a resurgent Taliban.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is believed to be close to presenting the new US military strategy to Trump, with an announcement potentially coming in weeks.
The Taliban, which ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001, also slammed the Afghan government in the letter and warned the United States that it could never defeat the insurgent group.

Taliban warn Trump against troop increase in open letter

KABUL: The Taliban published an open letter to US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warning him against sending more American forces to Afghanistan, reports AFP. The statement called for the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from the war-torn country and comes as Trump weighs increasing the number of American troops there. Previous experiences have shown that sending more troops to Afghanistan will not result in anything other than further destruction of American military and economical might. Therefore it would be wise if you adopt the strategy of a complete withdrawal from Afghanistan instead of a troops increase, said the English-language letter, which was sent to the media. US troops in Afghanistan now number about 8,400, a far cry from the US presence of more than 100,000 six years ago. They mainly serve as trainers and advisers to Afghan forces. Trumps administration is currently finalising a new policy for Afghanistan almost 16 years after the US invasion to topple the Taliban regime. American military commanders in Afghanistan have requested thousands of extra boots on the ground to help combat a resurgent Taliban. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is believed to be close to presenting the new US military strategy to Trump, with an announcement potentially coming in weeks. The Taliban, which ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001, also slammed the Afghan government in the letter and warned the United States that it could never defeat the insurgent group.