Peace offer shouldn't eliminate need for offensive operations against Taliban: Mattis

The United States assured the Afghan government of its full support to reconciliation process but the peace offer should not halt the need for aggressive offences on Taliban.

In his unannounced visit to Kabul, the US Defence Secretary James Mattis met the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah.  

It is the first visit of a key US envoy after the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani early this month had offered recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate political group as part of a proposed political process that he said could lead to talks aimed at ending more than 16 years of war.

Mattis praised Ghani's offer to negotiate with Taliban without preconditions. The Defence Secretary noted, "Ghani’s diplomatic approach achieved a level of international support not possible with military action alone. Secretary Mattis offered his full support to the Afghan-led reconciliation process, aimed at achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan." 

According to the readout provided by the Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White, Mr Mattis emphasized that the recent peace offer does not eliminate the need for offensive operations against the Taliban, and noted the importance of continued Afghan National Defense and Security Forces' progress on the battlefield. 

President Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah reaffirmed their commitment to forging a durable peace alongside regional and international partners. The two Afghan leaders also reinforced that the recent Taliban peace offer without preconditions was genuine, and they are ready to embrace all who are willing to reconcile.