Taliban Warns Peace Deal With US Near Breaking Point

The Taliban has warned their peace deal with the United States in Afghanistan is nearing a breaking point.

The group has accused the US of carrying out drone attacks on civilians, while also criticising the Afghan government for delaying the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners as promised in the agreement. 

A statement from the Taliban has warned of more violence if the US and the Afghan government continue alleged violations of the deal.

US military spokesman, Colonel Sonny Leggett, tweeted that the allegations were "baseless".

Col Leggett also called for the Taliban to reduce violence and said US forces will continue to support Afghanistan's security forces if attacked, in line with the agreement. 

Meanwhile, the militants said they had reduced their number of attacks compared to last year but said continued violations would "create an atmosphere of mistrust" and "increase the level of fighting".

The group also accused the Afghan government of using “indefensible arguments” to explain the repeated delays in releasing a promised 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for 1,000 government personnel.

It comes after President Ashraf Ghani announced his new cabinet as an argument with his main political rival over last year's election result continues. 

The country's independent election commission declared Mr Ghani winner but chief executive Abdullah Abdullah and the Elections Complaint Commission have reported widespread irregularities. 

US and NATO forces have already started to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.

The full withdrawal is expected to be completed within the next 14 months. 

There are nearly 1,000 British troops deployed to Afghanistan.

Cover image: Taliban training camp (Picture: PA).