KABUL: General David Petraeus, former commander of US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and former CIA chief has said that the withdrawal of US troops from the country “would not end the endless war in Afghanistan.”
In an interview with FRANCE 24, he said, “It is going to end the US and coalition presence in that war militarily.”
Last month, US President Joe Biden declared that the remaining 2,500 US troops in Afghanistan will be withdrawn by September 11.
“I do fear that two to three years from now we are going to look back and regret the decision to withdraw the remaining 3,500 US troops,” Petraeus said. “This is not going to end the endless war in Afghanistan; it is going to end the US and the coalition involvement in that war militarily.”
Petraeus also cautioned of the possibility of resurgence of Daesh in the country in addition to the Taliban’s gain over more territories.
“I believe there is a danger of Daesh creating a sanctuary in the Afghanistan-Pakistan zone, especially in the very rugged mountainous border area where many of these groups have their headquarters,” he added.
Following the start of the US and NATO forces’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, violence has escalated in Afghanistan.
At least 80 Taliban were killed in Afghan forces operations around the country in the last 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Defense. There were also reports of Afghan forces’ casualties during the period.