Ghani pins blame of worsening security situation on ‘abrupt’ US pullout

Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani blamed US ‘abrupt’ decision to withdraw its troops for the country’s deteriorating security, Al Jazeera reported.

Presenting his security plan before Parliament on Monday, Ghani said the situation in the war-torn nation will be “under control within six months”, adding that the US has pledged its full support.

“The reason for our current situation is that the decision was taken abruptly,” he told Parliament, adding he had warned Washington the withdrawal would have ‘consequences’.

The president added that “protection of the people” is a duty he will maintain.

After his address, both houses of parliament released a joint statement, expressing their full support for Ghani’s security plan.

In their statement, the legislators declared their ‘firm’ support to human and women’s rights and freedom of speech and said they stand with the Afghan National Army, “who sacrifice their lives for the nation”.

In response, the Taliban group released a statement to the media, calling Ghani’s statements ‘nonsense’ and saying “his time is over”.

“He was trying to control his own bad [mental] state and mistakes,” said the statement.

“The nation has decided to prosecute the national traitors and bring them to justice. Declarations of war, making accusations and providing false information cannot prolong Ghani’s life,” it said.

“His time is over, God willing.”

Meanwhile, a total of 15 militants were confirmed dead as fighting planes struck Taliban hideouts and positions in parts of Hazrat-e-Sultan district of northern Samangan province on Sunday, army spokesman in the northern region Mohammad Hanif Rezai said Monday.

Fifteen more insurgents sustained injuries in the sorties launched Sunday afternoon, the official said.

A huge quantity of arms and ammunition of the militants were also destroyed during the air raids, according to the official.

Taliban militants who are in control of parts of the restive Samangan province have yet to make comments.