The US forces and Taliban have traded barbs after Col. Dave Butler said Americans and Afghans want peace but the militant movement is intent upon fighting.
US forces spokesman Col. Dave Butler, in an interview said the bloodshed of Afghans should be stopped as Americans and Afghans desired peace.
In reaction to Butler’s remarks, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted: “They (Americans) should realize that Taliban movement has not intervened in & occupied the US. Contrarily, the US has intervened & occupied our country.
“So long as you occupy our country through force & plots, no true Afghan will seek peace but will want to force you out. Don’t try to represent the Afghans; only speak for the Americans & think about ways of ending your occupation,” Mujahid wrote.
Replaying to Mujahid’s tweet, Butler wrote: “You know this is not true. The Afghans know this is not true. You have the opportunity to reduce violence but you choose not to.
“The Taliban are choosing to ignore the will of the people and bring harm to this country. Peace is the right way.” Butler added.
“Are you suggesting it is untrue that you have forcibly based thousands of troops in our country? Or dropped countless bombs? Raided homes? Imprisoned thousands of Afghans?” Mujahid asked.
In reaction, Butler said the people “you (Taliban) claim you are fighting for peace. You know the truth. You are not even in this country but sending Afghan sons to die while you attack the Afghan security forces. You claim to fight us but only attack Afghans.”
