Defense minister: Afghan soil won’t be used against other countries

Afghanistan’s borders are secure and its soil will not be used against other countries, Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid has said.

Mujahid said this in a meeting with representatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Kabul.

He pointed out that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) is committed to the Doha Agreement and will remain committed, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

Meanwhile, OIC representatives appreciated the efforts of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) in providing security, combating opium cultivation and drug trafficking, and fighting against Daesh, according to the statement.

This comes as countries especially those in the region have repeatedly raised concerns about the presence and activities of terrorist groups in Afghanistan.

Military experts say IEA should build trust with neighboring countries in order to remove their concerns.

“If the Taliban (IEA) want to remove their concerns, they should build trust instead of making statements,” said Asadullah Nadeem, a military expert.

“Although the Taliban (IEA) have repeatedly assured neighboring countries of lack of threats from the borders, but their concerns remain. The Taliban (IEA) should address their concerns,” said Sadiq Shinwari, a military expert.

It has been more than a year since IEA took over Afghanistan, but no country has so far recognized it as an official government.