Asia-Pacific

Taliban downplays Obama's strategy, vows to continue war

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-12-02 21:13

KABUL: In a sharp reaction Taliban militants fighting Afghan government and NATO-led troops based in Afghanistan downplayed the new strategy announced by President Obama for Afghanistan on Wednesday.

"The Mujahidin (holy warriors) of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (name of ousted Taliban regime) would continue resistance against US and its national and international allies," the outfit said in a statement released to media from undisclosed location.

It also said that there is nothing new in President Obama's new strategy to solve the Afghan problem.

President Obama in his new strategy for Afghanistan announced sending in additional 30,000 troops, boosting civilian aid, strengthening the capability of Afghan national security forces, and gradual withdrawal begins from July 2011.

Taliban in the statement said that enhancing troops to Afghanistan on the hand and announcing pullout on the other hand is an attempt to reduce the level of opposition to war at home and abroad.

In the statement issued in Pashtu language, Taliban also predicted the defeat of US, saying occupation of Afghanistan would lead to the dismemberment of United States.

Taliban outfit in the past too, by issuing statements to media, emphasized for war against Afghan government, US and allied nations' troops stationed in the post-Taliban central Asian state.