Top US defence officials have said the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan can be traced back to a deal between the group and the Trump administration.
The so-called Doha agreement was signed in February 2020 and set a date for the US to withdraw its troops.
Gen Frank McKenzie said the deal had a “really pernicious effect” on the Afghan government and military.
Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin agreed, saying the agreement had helped the Taliban get “stronger”.
In addition to setting a withdrawal date, the Doha agreement included broad obligations on the Taliban to take steps to prevent groups such as al-Qaeda from threatening the security of the US and its allies.
After his election, US President Joe Biden continued the plan for withdrawal but with an end date of 31 August, instead of May.
Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC
