The Biden administration said it would review a landmark US deal with the Taliban. It added that while doing so it would focus on whether the insurgent group has kept with its side of the agreement and has reduced attacks in Afghanistan.

Washington struck a deal with the Taliban in Qatar last year, to begin withdrawing its troops in return for security guarantees from the militants and a commitment to kickstart peace talks with the Afghan government.

But violence across Afghanistan has surged despite the two sides engaging talks since September.

New US President Joe Biden's newly appointed national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, spoke with his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib and "made clear the United States' intention to review" the deal, said National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne late Friday.

Washington notably wants to check that the Taliban is "living up to its commitments to cut ties with terrorist groups, to reduce violence in Afghanistan, and to engage in meaningful negotiations with the Afghan government and other stakeholders," her statement continued.

It added that Sullivan "underscored that the US will support the peace process with a robust and regional diplomatic effort, which will aim to help the two sides achieve a durable and just political settlement and permanent ceasefire."

Sullivan also discussed the United States' support for protecting recent progress made on women and minority groups' rights as part of the peace process.

Taliban, to this end, said they remained "committed to the agreement and honour our commitments".

Washington's move was met with a sigh of relief from officials in Kabul after months of speculation over how the new administration would potentially recalibrate the Afghan policy.&nbsp;

Mohib, the Afghan national security advisor, tweeted that during the call the two sides "agreed to work toward a permanent ceasefire and a just and durable peace" in the country.&nbsp;

Other Afghan government officials have been accusing the Taliban of not living up to the February 2020 deal, saying the agreement had failed to achieve its stated goals.

Deadly attacks and high-profile assassinations have increased in recent months, particularly in Kabul where several journalists, activists, judges and politicians have been murdered in brazen daylight attacks.

The Taliban have denied responsibility for these killings, but Afghan and US officials have blamed the group for the murders.

(with inputs from agencies)

The Biden administration said it would review a landmark US deal with the Taliban. It added that while doing so it would focus on whether the insurgent group has kept with its side of the agreement and has reduced attacks in Afghanistan.

The Biden administration said it would review a landmark US deal with the Taliban. It added that while doing so it would focus on whether the insurgent group has kept with its side of the agreement and has reduced attacks in Afghanistan. Washington struck a deal with the Taliban in Qatar last year, to begin withdrawing its troops in return for security guarantees from the militants and a commitment to kickstart peace talks with the Afghan government. But violence across Afghanistan has surged despite the two sides engaging talks since September. New US President Joe Biden's newly appointed national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, spoke with his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib and "made clear the United States' intention to review" the deal, said National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne late Friday. Washington notably wants to check that the Taliban is "living up to its commitments to cut ties with terrorist groups, to reduce violence in Afghanistan, and to engage in meaningful negotiations with the Afghan government and other stakeholders," her statement continued. It added that Sullivan "underscored that the US will support the peace process with a robust and regional diplomatic effort, which will aim to help the two sides achieve a durable and just political settlement and permanent ceasefire." Sullivan also discussed the United States' support for protecting recent progress made on women and minority groups' rights as part of the peace process. Taliban, to this end, said they remained "committed to the agreement and honour our commitments". Washington's move was met with a sigh of relief from officials in Kabul after months of speculation over how the new administration would potentially recalibrate the Afghan policy. Mohib, the Afghan national security advisor, tweeted that during the call the two sides "agreed to work toward a permanent ceasefire and a just and durable peace" in the country. Other Afghan government officials have been accusing the Taliban of not living up to the February 2020 deal, saying the agreement had failed to achieve its stated goals. Deadly attacks and high-profile assassinations have increased in recent months, particularly in Kabul where several journalists, activists, judges and politicians have been murdered in brazen daylight attacks. The Taliban have denied responsibility for these killings, but Afghan and US officials have blamed the group for the murders. (with inputs from agencies)

Biden administration says will review US-Taliban withdrawal deal

The United States has reduced its military presence in Afghanistan to the level negotiated with the Taliban, around 8,600 troops, the top US commander for the region said Thursday.

"What I would tell you now is we have met our part of the agreement," General Kenneth McKenzie, the head of US Central Command, told a panel discussion hosted by the Aspen Institute.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-freed-taliban-prisoners-seek-return-to-battlefield-304988">Afghanistan: Freed Taliban prisoners seek return to battlefield</a>

"We agreed to go to the mid-8,000 range within 135 days," McKenzie said. "We're at that number now."&nbsp;

Under the February deal reached with the Taliban, the United States agreed to reduce its forces in Afghanistan from 12,000 troops to 8,600 by mid-July.

The agreement calls for all US and foreign troops to quit Afghanistan by mid-2021, nearly 20 years after Washington invaded the country following the September 11 attacks by al-Qaeda on New York and Washington.&nbsp;

McKenzie stressed that while the goal of a complete withdrawal by May 2021 was "aspirational," it was also conditional.

It is a "conditions-based approach," the general said, and "conditions would have to be met that satisfy us -- that attacks against our homeland are not going to be generated from Afghanistan."

"We all know already that (the Taliban) are no friends of ISIS," McKenzie said of the Islamic State group.

"What we need to see is what they're going to do against al-Qaeda," he said of the group responsible for 9/11. "And we need to see that in deeds and not words."&nbsp;

"And so we're very focused on what the Taliban is doing, how they're participating in these negotiations as we go forward," he said. "The jury is still very much out."&nbsp;

President Donald Trump, who is running for re-election in November, has said repeatedly that he wants US troops out of Afghanistan as soon as possible.

The United States has reduced its military presence in Afghanistan to the level negotiated with the Taliban, around 8,600 troops, the top US commander for the region said Thursday.

The United States has reduced its military presence in Afghanistan to the level negotiated with the Taliban, around 8,600 troops, the top US commander for the region said Thursday. "What I would tell you now is we have met our part of the agreement," General Kenneth McKenzie, the head of US Central Command, told a panel discussion hosted by the Aspen Institute. Also read | Afghanistan: Freed Taliban prisoners seek return to battlefield "We agreed to go to the mid-8,000 range within 135 days," McKenzie said. "We're at that number now." Under the February deal reached with the Taliban, the United States agreed to reduce its forces in Afghanistan from 12,000 troops to 8,600 by mid-July. The agreement calls for all US and foreign troops to quit Afghanistan by mid-2021, nearly 20 years after Washington invaded the country following the September 11 attacks by al-Qaeda on New York and Washington. McKenzie stressed that while the goal of a complete withdrawal by May 2021 was "aspirational," it was also conditional. It is a "conditions-based approach," the general said, and "conditions would have to be met that satisfy us -- that attacks against our homeland are not going to be generated from Afghanistan." "We all know already that (the Taliban) are no friends of ISIS," McKenzie said of the Islamic State group. "What we need to see is what they're going to do against al-Qaeda," he said of the group responsible for 9/11. "And we need to see that in deeds and not words." "And so we're very focused on what the Taliban is doing, how they're participating in these negotiations as we go forward," he said. "The jury is still very much out." President Donald Trump, who is running for re-election in November, has said repeatedly that he wants US troops out of Afghanistan as soon as possible.

We have met our part of commitment with Taliban: Top US commander

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in the Afghan capital Monday amid an ongoing political crisis, a raging Taliban insurgency and rising coronavirus cases -- all of which further threaten an already-floundering peace process.

Pompeo was set to meet with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani along with his archrival Abdullah Abdullah, who also claims the presidency, following a contested election last year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-taliban-held-first-talks-regarding-prisoner-release-us-envoy-287966">Afghan, Taliban held first talks regarding prisoner release: US envoy</a>

According to a pool report from a journalist accompanying Pompeo, the top US diplomat was welcomed by special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad -- the lead US negotiator in recent talks with the Taliban -- after arriving at Kabul airport.

The visit comes just a day after the Afghan government and the Taliban held their first discussion on arranging prisoner exchanges -- a key step in a broader push for peace following a withdrawal deal signed between Washington and the militants last month.

The agreement established a framework for bringing to an end America's longest war following the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

Khalilzad tweeted Sunday it was "urgent" to quickly conclude plans for the prisoner swap -- as called for in the US pact with the Taliban -- with the coronavirus pandemic complicating diplomatic contacts.

The deal called for the release of up to 5,000 Taliban fighters held by Kabul, and up to 1,000 members of the Afghan government forces in insurgent hands.

That was meant to take place before the start of peace talks originally set for March 10 between the government -- which was not a party to the negotiations that produced the Doha deal -- and the Taliban.

After initially refusing to release the Taliban prisoners, Ghani announced that the authorities would free 1,500 insurgents as a "gesture of goodwill" with plans to free another 3,500 prisoners after the talks are underway.&nbsp;

The Taliban rejected the offer.

The Doha accord also calls for the gradual withdrawal of American and other foreign troops over a 14-month period -- the main focus of the US diplomatic efforts.

The first phase of that withdrawal has already begun, though some troop movements have been slowed by the coronavirus pandemic.

In exchange, the Taliban committed to fight jihadist groups like Al-Qaeda and promised to negotiate for the first time with Kabul.&nbsp;

But since the Doha agreement was signed, the Taliban have carried out scores of attacks.

Political chaos in Kabul has further complicated matters, with Ghani's former chief executive Abdullah also claiming the presidency following last September's bitterly disputed election.

The impasse and continued fighting along with the world's preoccupation with coronavirus has sparked fears the window for a peace deal is closing fast.

Afghan health officials have reported just 40 cases of the novel coronavirus and one death to date.&nbsp;

However, health experts fear the contagion is spreading as tens of thousands of Afghans have returned home in recent weeks after fleeing virus-hit Iran.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in the Afghan capital Monday amid an ongoing political crisis, a raging Taliban insurgency and rising coronavirus cases -- all of which further threaten an already-floundering peace process.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in the Afghan capital Monday amid an ongoing political crisis, a raging Taliban insurgency and rising coronavirus cases -- all of which further threaten an already-floundering peace process. Pompeo was set to meet with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani along with his archrival Abdullah Abdullah, who also claims the presidency, following a contested election last year. Also read | Afghan, Taliban held first talks regarding prisoner release: US envoy According to a pool report from a journalist accompanying Pompeo, the top US diplomat was welcomed by special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad -- the lead US negotiator in recent talks with the Taliban -- after arriving at Kabul airport. The visit comes just a day after the Afghan government and the Taliban held their first discussion on arranging prisoner exchanges -- a key step in a broader push for peace following a withdrawal deal signed between Washington and the militants last month. The agreement established a framework for bringing to an end America's longest war following the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Khalilzad tweeted Sunday it was "urgent" to quickly conclude plans for the prisoner swap -- as called for in the US pact with the Taliban -- with the coronavirus pandemic complicating diplomatic contacts. The deal called for the release of up to 5,000 Taliban fighters held by Kabul, and up to 1,000 members of the Afghan government forces in insurgent hands. That was meant to take place before the start of peace talks originally set for March 10 between the government -- which was not a party to the negotiations that produced the Doha deal -- and the Taliban. After initially refusing to release the Taliban prisoners, Ghani announced that the authorities would free 1,500 insurgents as a "gesture of goodwill" with plans to free another 3,500 prisoners after the talks are underway. The Taliban rejected the offer. The Doha accord also calls for the gradual withdrawal of American and other foreign troops over a 14-month period -- the main focus of the US diplomatic efforts. The first phase of that withdrawal has already begun, though some troop movements have been slowed by the coronavirus pandemic. In exchange, the Taliban committed to fight jihadist groups like Al-Qaeda and promised to negotiate for the first time with Kabul. But since the Doha agreement was signed, the Taliban have carried out scores of attacks. Political chaos in Kabul has further complicated matters, with Ghani's former chief executive Abdullah also claiming the presidency following last September's bitterly disputed election. The impasse and continued fighting along with the world's preoccupation with coronavirus has sparked fears the window for a peace deal is closing fast. Afghan health officials have reported just 40 cases of the novel coronavirus and one death to date. However, health experts fear the contagion is spreading as tens of thousands of Afghans have returned home in recent weeks after fleeing virus-hit Iran.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits Kabul amid multiple crisis

The US military has begun withdrawing soldiers from Afghanistan as part of a pullout agreed in the February 29 peace agreement with the Taliban, a Pentagon official said Monday.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-peace-pact-in-chaos-as-presidential-rivals-squabble-285207">Afghan peace pact in chaos as presidential rivals squabble</a>

The US has committed to reducing its troop level from more than 12,000 at the moment to 8,600 within 135 days of the agreement, said Colonel Sonny Leggett, spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-abdullah-abdullah-threatens-parallel-inauguration-after-the-disputed-election-285054">Afghanistan: Abdullah Abdullah threatens parallel inauguration after the disputed election</a>

Even with the drawdown, US forces retain "all the military means and authorities to accomplish our objectives -- including conducting counterterrorism operations against Al-Qaeda and ISIS-K and providing support to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces," Leggett said in a statement.&nbsp;

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The US military has begun withdrawing soldiers from Afghanistan as part of a pullout agreed in the February 29 peace agreement with the Taliban, a Pentagon official said Monday.

The US military has begun withdrawing soldiers from Afghanistan as part of a pullout agreed in the February 29 peace agreement with the Taliban, a Pentagon official said Monday. Also read: Afghan peace pact in chaos as presidential rivals squabble The US has committed to reducing its troop level from more than 12,000 at the moment to 8,600 within 135 days of the agreement, said Colonel Sonny Leggett, spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan. Also read: Afghanistan: Abdullah Abdullah threatens parallel inauguration after the disputed election Even with the drawdown, US forces retain "all the military means and authorities to accomplish our objectives -- including conducting counterterrorism operations against Al-Qaeda and ISIS-K and providing support to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces," Leggett said in a statement. ×

US begins troops withdrawal from Afghanistan 10 days after Taliban deal

The US-Taliban peace deal is being seen as a step towards restoring peace. But the people in Afghanistan are skeptical. This report tells you more.

Gravitas: US-Taliban Peace deal, Afghans are skeptical

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-police-foils-terror-plot-arrests-three-taliban-terrorists-278421">Taliban</a> lashed out at the Trump administration&nbsp;on&nbsp;Wednesday, accusing the US of holding up negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would see the Americans end their 18-year war in Afghanistan.

The US&nbsp;and the Taliban are still wrangling over a possible deal that would see US troops begin to leave Afghanistan in return for security guarantees.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-envoy-for-taliban-talks-back-in-kabul-official-278071">US envoy for Taliban talks back in Kabul: Official</a>

However, there appears to have been little progress in reaching a deal in recent weeks, prompting the insurgents to saddle blame on the White House and what they say are a growing list of demands by the Americans.

The Taliban "has the intention &amp; capacity for a resolution," said spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a tweet.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reaction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Reaction</a> 
IEA has the intention &amp; capacity for a resolution. Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands &amp; quarrel b/w US &amp; Kabul officials.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecPompeo</a> should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled &amp; concerted - unlike them.
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1224647135746043905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands &amp; quarrel b/w US &amp; Kabul officials. Secretary Pompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled &amp; concerted - unlike them," he added.

The Taliban's remarks came a day after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the insurgents must make "demonstrable evidence of their will and capacity to reduce violence" in order to reach an agreement during a meeting with Central Asian officials in Uzbekistan.

The tweet also came days after Zalmay Khalilzad -&nbsp;the US special envoy leading negotiations with the Taliban launched a new round of shuttle diplomacy by travelling to both Pakistan and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-bombing-of-afghanistan-hits-10-year-high-us-air-force-277324">Afghanistan</a> to brief officials on the status of the talks.

In recent weeks, the US has been largely been quiet on the exact status of the negotiations, while the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-violence-rises-amid-us-taliban-talks-watchdog-277677">Taliban </a>has&nbsp;insisted they were prepared to reduce fighting to move talks forward.

The US and Taliban had been negotiating the deal for a year and were on the brink of an announcement in September last year&nbsp;when President Donald Trump abruptly declared the process "dead", citing Taliban violence.

Talks were later restarted in December in Qatar, but paused again following an attack near the US-run Bagram military base in Afghanistan.

The Taliban lashed out at the Trump administration on Wednesday, accusing the US of holding up negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would see the Americans end their 18-year war in Afghanistan.

The Taliban lashed out at the Trump administration on Wednesday, accusing the US of holding up negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would see the Americans end their 18-year war in Afghanistan. The US and the Taliban are still wrangling over a possible deal that would see US troops begin to leave Afghanistan in return for security guarantees. Also read: US envoy for Taliban talks back in Kabul: Official However, there appears to have been little progress in reaching a deal in recent weeks, prompting the insurgents to saddle blame on the White House and what they say are a growing list of demands by the Americans. The Taliban "has the intention & capacity for a resolution," said spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a tweet. #Reaction IEA has the intention & capacity for a resolution. Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands & quarrel b/w US & Kabul officials.@SecPompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled & concerted - unlike them. — Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) February 4, 2020 × "Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands & quarrel b/w US & Kabul officials. Secretary Pompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled & concerted - unlike them," he added. The Taliban's remarks came a day after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the insurgents must make "demonstrable evidence of their will and capacity to reduce violence" in order to reach an agreement during a meeting with Central Asian officials in Uzbekistan. The tweet also came days after Zalmay Khalilzad - the US special envoy leading negotiations with the Taliban launched a new round of shuttle diplomacy by travelling to both Pakistan and Afghanistan to brief officials on the status of the talks. In recent weeks, the US has been largely been quiet on the exact status of the negotiations, while the Taliban has insisted they were prepared to reduce fighting to move talks forward. The US and Taliban had been negotiating the deal for a year and were on the brink of an announcement in September last year when President Donald Trump abruptly declared the process "dead", citing Taliban violence. Talks were later restarted in December in Qatar, but paused again following an attack near the US-run Bagram military base in Afghanistan.

Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump and US demands: Taliban

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