Obama's war strategy in Afghanistan has "failed": Taliban

Islamabad, Dec 18 (ANI): Taliban insurgents have dismissed the review of United States President Barack Obama's war strategy in Afghanistan, saying it has failed on both military and the civil administration fronts.

In an e-mailed statement, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the last nine years of war had proven that increased troop levels had no effect.

"It is a failed strategy, not only on the military side but also in civilian and administrative affairs. Public services in Afghanistan have failed. Corruption, insecurity and also the civilian casualties are a result of failed American strategy," The Nation quoted Mujahid, as saying.

"President Obama is also talking about progress, but it is clear for everyone that the reality is completely the opposite of what he says," he added.

Mujahid vowed the Taliban would continue to fight coalition troops, and that "with the presence of foreign forces in our country there will be no peace and security. The interference of foreign forces in the affairs of Afghanistan ... will only increase casualties."

The Taliban claimed that Obama's aim of starting to withdraw US soldiers from Afghanistan next year is the result not of success, but of "the pressure on the US forces in Afghanistan, the high casualties of the US forces and the high cost of the war ... which they can no longer afford." (ANI)