US CENTCOM nominee seeks Taliban’s cooperation in anti-ISIS fight in Afghanistan

United States' President, Joe Biden's nominee to le US forces in Middle East and Central Asia, has floated idea of working with Taliban in some cases to take out ISIS targets in Afghanistan. Lt General Erik Kurrila, US Central Command (CENTCOM) nominee, said re are pragmatic occasions where US and Taliban may work toger to combat ISIS-K and take out terrorists' targets in Afghanistan.

Erik Kurrila stated during his Senate confirmation hearing on February 8, that despite withdrawal of American soldiers from Afghanistan, y will still be able to undertake over--horizon operations and hit Al-Qaida and ISIS targets in country.

"In my personal opinion, re are pragmatic instances where we could come toger going after [ISIS-Khorasan] based on threat to homeland. Over--horizon counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan against ISIS and Al Qaeda targets are difficult, but not impossible after US drawdown," Kurrila stated on Tuesday.

According to General Erik Kurrila, US has not carried out any airstrikes since ir entire pullout on August 30 of last year. Despite fact that Biden ministration has stated repeatedly that y will retain ability to strike Al-Qaida and ISIS-K targets in Afghanistan, nominee stated that y require at least one sensor on target to kill it.

General Kurrila hesitant to fly via Pakistan

General Kurrila is similarly hesitant to fly via Pakistan because of obstacles it will provide, but he recognises that Islamab has various motivations to help in this respect. Kurrila went on to say that Pakistan's concern of regional instability and threat posed by Tahrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are reasons Islamab will not deny US access to its airspace.

In months since US pullout, ISIS-K has increased its strikes on Taliban targets. Washington Post reported on Tuesday that a 2,000-page US Army review revealed that White House and State Department officials fought Pentagon efforts to initiate evacuation preparations for Americans and Afghan Special Immigration Visa holders in weeks before Kabul fell. 

American officials believe Taliban and ISIS-K are at very least versaries in Afghanistan

According to AP, American officials believe that  Taliban and ISIS-K are at very least versaries in Afghanistan, if not outright foes. Top military officers have also stated that Taliban's decision to release all detainees held by US during its 20-year war in Afghanistan has resulted in return of up to 2,000 ISIS-K members to battlefield, according to media agency.

In recent days, US military and ministration officials have disclosed astonishing levels of collaboration during evacuation between American planners in Afghanistan and Taliban, group that US entered country to dismantle in first place. rebel organisation was reportedly used by US to guide Americans through tumultuous events in Kabul and to airport gates for departure.

(With inputs from agencies)

Image: AP