Ismatulla Irgashev assesses the consequences of the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan

Ismatulla Irgashev, the special representative of the president of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan, believes that the hasty withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan will lead to chaos in this country. He stated this in an interview with “Fergana”.

“We believe that there will be no hasty withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. The EU, NATO and the United States are well aware of their mission and responsibility. The hasty withdrawal of troops can lead to chaos in the country. Because hostilities can erupt here with a new force. We shouldn’t let it happen,” said Irgashev.

According to him, many countries, including Uzbekistan, realize that the troops of the international coalition in Afghanistan “provide substantial assistance and support in preserving peace in the region”. “It is too early to say that ensuring security in the region without the troops of the international coalition is possible,” he noted.

“We know perfectly well that the international community is actively helping the Afghan National Army so that it can independently resolve security issues inside the country and carry out military operations against terrorist organizations on its territory. I think that the Afghan law enforcement agencies will become better at coping with their duties after gaining a little more experience,” Irgashev says.

At the same time, he stressed that the Taliban do not exclude the continuation of cooperation with the United States on the economic recovery of Afghanistan.

“In this context, the Taliban movement expressed its readiness to support the efforts of the United States to provide civilian assistance in the restoration of the socio-economic infrastructure and the implementation of economic projects in Afghanistan,” the politician said.

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said on January 26 that the United States is seriously committed to achieving peace in Afghanistan and the withdrawal of troops from this country.