The Doha Agreement, signed between the Taliban and the US in February 2020, aimed to end the longest war in American history. The agreement set out terms for a phased withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in exchange for Taliban commitments to prevent terrorist groups from operating in the country and to engage in peace talks with the Afghan government. However, recent developments suggest that the Taliban may have violated the agreement.
One of the key provisions of the Doha Agreement was the release of Taliban prisoners by the Afghan government. The agreement called for the release of up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for the release of up to 1,000 Afghan security forces held by the Taliban. The Afghan government initially resisted this provision, but eventually agreed to release the prisoners in exchange for the start of peace talks with the Taliban.
However, the Taliban have not lived up to their end of the bargain. Despite committing to start peace talks with the Afghan government, the Taliban have continued to conduct attacks on Afghan security forces and civilians. In fact, the Taliban launched a major offensive in Helmand province in early October, just as peace talks were set to begin in Doha.
The Taliban have also failed to prevent terrorist groups from operating in Afghanistan. The Islamic State in Khorasan (IS-K), an affiliate of the global terrorist group, has carried out several attacks in Afghanistan in recent months. The US has accused the Taliban of maintaining ties with Al Qaeda, another terrorist group that is based in Afghanistan.
The failure of the Taliban to live up to their commitments under the Doha Agreement has raised concerns about the future of the peace process in Afghanistan. The US has reduced its troop levels in Afghanistan to 4,500, and is set to withdraw all troops by May 2021 if the Taliban honor their commitments. However, if the Taliban continue to violate the agreement, it could lead to a resurgence of violence in the country and a potential breakdown of the peace talks.
In conclusion, the Doha Agreement was a significant step towards ending the war in Afghanistan. However, recent developments suggest that the Taliban may have violated the agreement by failing to prevent terrorist groups from operating in the country and by continuing to conduct attacks on Afghan security forces and civilians. The future of the peace process in Afghanistan remains uncertain, and it will require the commitment of all parties to honor their obligations under the Doha Agreement to achieve lasting peace in the country.