'Momentous day': Mike Pompeo hails historic US-Taliban peace deal

After a week-long reduction in violence across war-torn Afghanistan, much-awaited peace deal between United States and Taliban was sealed on February 29. ceremony was held in Qatar's capital Doha. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met a 31-strong Taliban delegation and called it a 'momentous day'. deal marked a historic step in more than 18 years of conflict in Afghanistan and is furr expected to pave way for a deal that might see an end to  war. 

While speaking at ceremony, Pompeo said, “US will closely watch Taliban's compliance with ir commitments, and calibrate pace of our withdrawal to ir actions. This is how we will ensure that Afghanistan never again serves for international terrorists.”

RE: Afghan Peace Deal: 5,000 Taliban PoWs To Be Released; US To Withdraw In 14 Months

new peace deal agrees on  complete withdrawal of US and NATO troops within 14 months if Taliban abide by agreement. Furrmore, under agreement, militants also agreed t to allow al-Qaeda or any or extremist group to operate in areas y control. US has also agreed to refrain itself from use of force against Afghanistan or intervening in domestic affairs. It has also committed to seeking annual funds to train, equip and vice Afghanistan security forces. 

US-Taliban peace deal also proposes an intra-Afghan dialogue with government in Kabul and release of 5,000 Taliban members from prison. According to a joint statement, Afghan government will also eng with United Nations Security Council to remove Taliban members from sanctions list by May 29. 

RE: Taliban Orders Its Fighters To Refrain From Attack Ahe Of Peace Deal: Report

'Powerful path forward' 

A day before signing of deal, Trump in a statement said, “Soon, at my direction, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will witness signing of an agreement with representatives of Taliban”. He ded, “If Taliban and government of Afghanistan live up to se commitments, we will have a powerful path forward to end war in Afghanistan and bring our troops home”. 

According to Trump, new peace-deal represents an important step to peace in a new Afghanistan which is free from al-Qaeda, ISIS and any or terror group that would seek to bring harm. Trump said, “se agreements are a result of strenuous efforts of those who fought so hard in Afghanistan for United States of America”. Earlier on Saturday, Taliban even ordered its fighters to refrain from any attacks. 

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Taliban, who ruled Afghanistan with a harsh version of Islamic law from 1996 to 2001 and hosted al-Qaeda leer Osama bin Len, reportedly even said that y longer seek a mopoly on power, however, militant group continued to control or hold sway over roughly half of country.

Before signing agreement., re were also fears that a full withdrawal of some 20,000 NATO troops, including about 12,000 US forces, would leave Afghan government vulnerable, or unleash ar round of fighting in a war that has reportedly killed tens of thousands of Afghans and also claimed lives of 2,400 US servicemen and women.

RE: Afghanistan's Future In Balance As US, Taliban Sign Deal