US State Department: No Support for Armed Conflict in Afghanistan

The US Department of State has reaffirmed its stance against endorsing armed conflict in Afghanistan.

A spokesperson told Fox News that after 44 years of continuous war, the US does not wish to see a resurgence of violence in the country, emphasising that the Afghan people themselves do not want the conflict to continue.

In contrast, Michael McCaul, Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, has voiced support for the National Resistance Front’s (NRF) efforts against the Taliban. McCaul announced plans to meet with Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the NRF, in the near future.

Ali Maisam Nazary, Head of Foreign Relations for the NRF, who is currently in the US, has called for American backing in their armed resistance against the Taliban. Speaking to Fox News, Nazary stated, "We believe that with minimal support, we will be able to defeat terrorism within Afghanistan."

He further highlighted that the NRF is composed of former Afghan security forces, trained by US and international forces over the past 20 years to combat terrorism. "We have the most capable units that can fight terrorists, and we have done this for three years without any support," he added.

Fox News reported on Saturday that, amid numerous global crises and the upcoming US presidential election, it appears unlikely that the US government will prioritise discussions on Afghanistan, three years after the withdrawal. The report also noted that resistance against the Taliban continues to be largely overlooked by the US and other Western nations.

Last year, the British Foreign Office declared that it does not support violent efforts to overthrow the Taliban regime, viewing such actions as not beneficial for Afghanistan. Instead, the UK emphasised the need for pragmatic engagement with the Taliban administration as the only viable alternative.

The Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) and the National Resistance Front (NRF), two military and political movements formed after the Taliban's return to power, have engaged in armed conflict against the group.

Over the past three years, these fronts have organised various attacks against the Taliban across different regions of Afghanistan.

According to a United Nations Security Council report, the Taliban, contrary to their commitments, have provided havens for terrorist groups, including Al-Qaeda, to operate within Afghanistan. The report notes that Al-Qaeda has reestablished its bases in several Afghan provinces.