Cooperation with Taliban: White House is aware of irony

Washington (AP) – The US government is aware of the irony that lies in its current cooperation with the militant Islamist Taliban. “I think irony is far too weak a term,” said US government spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

A journalist in Washington had asked. But these are the circumstances with which the US is confronted in Afghanistan. The Taliban controlled the country. In order to be able to evacuate US citizens, Afghan aid workers or other people in need of protection, the US would have to coordinate with the Taliban.

“This is not a privileged relationship,” said Psaki, but stressed: “This is not the only place in the world where we have to work with adversaries or former enemies to advance US national security goals.”

The US-led invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001 led to the overthrow of the Taliban regime. The Islamists then fought the foreign soldiers and the Afghan security forces. About two weeks ago, the Taliban had regained power in Afghanistan after a campaign of conquest in the country. Since then, the US and its allies have been trying desperately to get their own citizens, Afghan aid workers and other vulnerable people to safety from the Taliban and to fly them out. In order to carry out the evacuation mission, they coordinate with the Taliban on various channels.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210828-99-998014 / 2

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