Direct talks between Americans and Taliban resumed as casualties among Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) have reached unsustainably high. Over 30 Afghan security personnel were killed in a Taliban attack on Monday in the capital of central Wardak province, located just a few kilometers from Kabul. This is just an example of the mass casualties Afghan forces suffer on a daily and weekly basis across the country. Afghan National Defense and Security Forces can badly deplete if their death toll continues as now. The high casualty rate is not the only issue; the recruitment rate for Afghan forces has dramatically dropped due to lack of confidence in the government. How Afghan youth will show wiliness to join ANDSF when they see the coffins of Afghan forces and negligence of government leadership on a daily basis.
The US-Taliban talks should clear the path for a ceasefire as soon as possible since it is the only thing that can stop the high casualties among Afghan forces in the short run. Negotiations for peace are certainly a step forward, but they are futile if they cannot reduce violence or change things on the battlefield. If Americans cannot lure the Taliban into direct talks with Afghan government, they should compel them at least to agree to a truce during peace parleys. Ceasefire not only decreases casualties on both sides, but also can play a key role in building trust.
The casualties of Afghan forces, as the guardians of Afghanistan, are intolerable. They have made enough sacrifices for the sake of peace in the country, and Afghan people don’t want useless peace talks that cannot stop the loss of precious lives of their security forces. The Taliban have to realize that Afghan forces are the sons of the very nation they dream to rule. It will be better for them to come to the negotiating table with Afghan government and reach a peace deal that is acceptable to all Afghans than continue to spill more Afghan blood. It is the only solution and the earlier they resort to that, the more Afghan blood will be stopped.
