Taliban Warn US to Stop Violating Afghanistan's Airspace
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Taliban told the US to respect Afghanistan’s sole rights over its own airspace and keep out or be prepared to face “negative consequences.”
On Wednesday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a statement shared on Twitter warned of consequences if the US continues to violate Afghan airspace.
"The US has violated all international rights and laws as well as its commitments made to the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, with the operation of these drones in Afghanistan," the spokesman said in the statement, Reuters reported.
"We call on all countries, especially United States, to treat Afghanistan in light of international rights, laws and commitments ... in order to prevent any negative consequences."
The statement said the Taliban-controlled Kabul government is the sole custodian of Afghanistan and its airspace, adding that if the US fails to recognize this, it would face negative consequences.
US officials are yet to comment on the Taliban statement.
A US drone strike in August, just days before the military evacuation was complete, killed an aid worker and nine members of his family, including seven children. The strike was intended for Daesh (ISIS or ISIL) terrorists.
The Taliban swept to power in Afghanistan in August as Western troops left the country following a near 20-year occupation which began shortly after the September 11, 2001, attacks.
Daesh also claimed responsibility for an attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul just 11 days after the Taliban takeover. More than 180 people were killed, including US servicemen and women, as well as dozens of Taliban gunmen.
