US troops’ speedy pullout blamed for worsening Afghan violence

The Afghan president has blamed the American troops’ speedy pullout for the worsening violence in his country and said that his administration would now focus on protecting provincial capitals and major urban areas in the face of the rapidly advancing Taliban, according to The Associated Press.

Ashraf Ghani also urged lawmakers to back a national mobilization drive against the Taliban amid an intensifying war between the Taliban and Afghan government forces over the past few months as US and NATO troops complete their pullout from the country.

“An imported, hasty” peace process — a reference to Washington’s push for negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban — “not only failed to bring peace but created doubt and ambiguity” among Afghans, Ghani said in his address to Parliament.

The Afghan president arrived by helicopter for the extraordinary session of the house, called because of the dire situation on the ground, AFP reported.

Ghani touched down at the Darul Aman Palace in Kabul and inspected an honor guard before heading inside.

The Taliban are now trying to seize provincial capitals after already taking large swaths of land and scores of districts in more rural areas, as well as several key border crossings with neighboring countries.

“The Taliban do not believe in lasting or just peace,” Ghani said.

He predicted a sea change on the battlefield “in the next six months” that would push the Taliban back.

He claimed that Afghan forces are up to the task and have the “capacity” to defeat the insurgents.