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Derechos | Equipo Nizkor
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| Information | | |
Derechos | Equipo Nizkor
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23Aug17
Afghans Support US Policy, Call For Honesty In Fighting Terror
Some Afghans believe that the new US strategy on Afghanistan brings hope for a peaceful and a stable country.
Afghans have welcomed the US's new strategy and said they support any plan which ensures peace and stability in the country.
Some did however say that the United States should be honest in its fight against insurgents.
"The policy is not prioritizing reconstruction. It only wants to eliminate terrorists," said Zekrullah Nazari, a resident of Nangarhar.
"It was the demand of all Afghans that Pakistan should be slammed and pressurized because of all the bad acts it has done to Afghanistan," said Nematullah Hamdard, a resident of Nangarhar.
In the northern province of Balkh, where Taliban militants are at war with government forces in some districts including Chamtal and Chahar Bolak, residents said the new US strategy was different and was a serious plan to eliminate terrorists.
"We hope that Pakistan and the US acts honestly in the fight against terrorism and delivers on the comment it has made in this respect," said Sharifullah, a resident of Balkh.
"The strategy has at least brought hope to Afghans that Pakistanis and terrorists are treated in a way that was not done before," said Abdulqader, another resident of the province.
Residents in Helmand, who have been hit hard by the war, said the strategy will pressurize Pakistan to stop helping terrorists.
"If the pressures are brought on Pakistan, it will push Pakistan to avoid giving sanctuary and training to terrorists," said Dost Mohammad, a resident of Lashkargah city.
"We hope that government and its international allies work for peace as well," said Jawad Dawari, a resident of Helmand.
Those in Kabul - who have had to deal with a spike in deadly attacks in recent times - said they support the US strategy but hope it eliminates insurgency in the country and in the region.
"We don't want war, we want peace," Kabul resident Farid said.
"We are happy and optimistic about the strategy and we demand and hope that terrorists should be eliminated," said Feda Mohammad, a Kabul resident.
US President Donald Trump early Tuesday announced his administration's new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia.
He was expected to provide details on the exact number of troops which would be added to the forces already in Afghanistan but failed to do so. Instead, he said they will no longer disclose details about their war strategies.
Trump's decision was met with mixed reaction by regional countries. Pakistani analysts were not impressed by the new strategy but India welcomed it and reaffirmed its support to Afghanistan.
Meanwhile China said it stands by Pakistan. This was in line with Trump's remarks that the US would no longer tolerate safe havens for terrorists in Pakistan.
[Source: By Nabila Ashrafi, Tolo News, Kabul, 23Aug17]
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 | This document has been published on 24Aug17 by the Equipo Nizkor and Derechos Human Rights. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. |