NATO still without a decision to withdraw from Afghanistan

NATO held a virtual meeting Thursday.

The US administration of President Joe Biden is reviewing an agreement between the US and the Taliban to determine whether the militant group is fulfilling its commitments, including reaching a ceasefire and involvement in meaningful negotiations with the Afghan government.

Under this agreement, all foreign forces must leave Afghanistan by May, in exchange for security guarantees from the militant group.

But despite the launch of peace talks between Afghan and Taliban negotiators in September in Qatar, violence has increased in Afghanistan.

“at this stage, we have made no final decision on the future of our presence”, Stoltenberg said after a video meeting with NATO defence ministers.

Until the 1 May deadline approaches, NATO allies will continue to consult and co-ordinate closely in the coming weeks”, Stoltenberg said.

Increased Taliban attacks in Afghanistan have prompted members of the US Congress and international human rights groups to call for the postponement of troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, which is agreed to under the administration of former US President Donald Trump.

On Thursday, two Kabul University professors were killed after the bomb exploded located in their car.