Ghani claims Taliban has ‘deep ties’ with various terrorist organizations

President Ashraf Ghani said on Wednesday the Taliban still has “deep ties to al-Qaeda, Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba” and wants Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorists.

Addressing commandos at the Special Operations Corps base on Wednesday, during his Eid al-Adha visit, Ghani said while the Taliban still had strong ties to the terrorist groups, the Afghan government and people would never allow their country to become a safe haven for terrorists.

According to a statement issued by the Presidential Palace (ARG), Ghani said the country’s “enemies” were conspiring against Afghanistan because it has water and is situated in a strategic position. He also said the “enemies” are taking revenge on Afghanistan by waging war.

Ghani also stated that government and the people have the will to establish a just and lasting peace, but that “the enemy must know that we will never give up. You have the ability to prove your worth to the world and any other force,” he told commandos.

Commander of the Special Operations Command Corps, General Hibatullah Alizi, told Ghani the country’s security and defense forces, especially the Special Operations Corps, “are ready to defend the system, the republic, the national honor and the supreme interests of the country.”