Taliban Launch 4,500 Attacks Since March After Peace Deal with US

To no one's surprise, the Taliban keeps refusing to abide by the terms of the peace accord reached with the United States on February 29. Instead, the Islamists have intensified attacks against the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) in a renewed bid to topple the Afghan government by force.

The Taliban have launched more than 4,500 attacks across Afghanistan since they signed the agreement, said the United States. The first Taliban attacks were staged as early as March 3, or only three days after the Taliban signed the peace accord. The Taliban struck the ANDSF throughout Afghanistan in 43 attacks, killing at least 25 ANDSF soldiers and wounding 13 others.

The U.S. responded to these attacks with airstrikes against Taliban fighters in Helmand province. At the time, Col Sonny Leggett, spokesman for U.S. Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A), said this was the command's first strike against the Taliban in 11 days.

Col. Leggett also said Taliban leaders "promised the (international) the community would reduce violence and not increase attacks." He called on the Taliban "to stop needless attacks and uphold their commitments. As we have demonstrated, we will defend our partners when required."

The February 29 deal provides for the withdrawal of U.S. troops within 14 months based on the Taliban fulfilling several conditions. Among the key conditions are the Taliban refraining from attacking ANDSF and the U.S. and other troops belonging to the Resolute Support Mission (RSM). The Afghan government isn't part of the agreement between the United States and the Taliban.

Col Leggett on Tuesday revealed Taliban attacks have jumped 70% compared to the same period last year, violating the terms of the withdrawal deal. The intensity of the attacks is increasing despite the deep inroads being made by COVID-19 among Afghans.

On Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the Taliban isn't living up to its commitments under the February 29 deal.  This fragile deal is all but dead amid mounting Taliban violence. Despite pledging to reduce the violence, the Taliban has instead intensified their attacks.

"I don't think they are," answered Esper when asked if the Taliban was living up to its commitment under the pact.

Esper said the Afghan government and the Taliban "both need to come together and make progress on the terms that (are) laid out."