Haqqani network leader writes an op-ed for the New York Times

• “We thought it unwise to dismiss any potential opportunity for peace no matter how meager the prospects of its success,” says Taliban leader.
• “We did not choose our war with the foreign coalition led by the United States. We were forced to defend ourselves,” writes Haqqani network leader.

The Haqqani network leader Sirajuddin Haqqani has written an op-ed in New York Times, highlighting demands of Taliban ahead of highly anticipated Afghan peace deal.

The deal is expected to be finalised between the US and the Taliban in coming days, Haqqani wrote the long war has exacted a terrible cost from everyone so it would be unwise to dismiss any potential opportunity for peace no matter how meager the prospects of its success.

“Nevertheless, we decided to try once more,” Haqqani wrote in the US based news paper. “The long war has exacted a terrible cost from everyone. We thought it unwise to dismiss any potential opportunity for peace no matter how meager the prospects of its success.”

Furthermore, he stated that the US led coalition forced war upon them and they have no choice but to defend themselves.

“We did not choose our war with the foreign coalition led by the United States. We were forced to defend ourselves.”

The deputy leader of the Taliban highlighting demands of his group penned “withdrawal of foreign forces has been their first and foremost demand”.

“The withdrawal of foreign forces has been our first and foremost demand. That we today stand at the threshold of a peace agreement with the United States is no small milestone,” wrote Haqqani.

He thanked Taliban negotiation team, led Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Sher Mohammed Abas Stanekzai and said they have worked tirelessly for the past 18 months with the American negotiators to make an agreement possible.

Moreover, “We are committed to working with other parties in a consultative manner of genuine respect to agree on a new, inclusive political system in which the voice of every Afghan is reflected and where no Afghan feels excluded.”

"My fellow Afghans will soon celebrate this historic agreement," he added.