WASHINGTON: Afghanistan will “likely” erupt into civil war, the top U.S. official told the U.S. media on Saturday, warning that such conditions could see terrorist groups resurface in the country.
When U.S. forces began their withdrawal, the Taliban seized Afghanistan in a lightning campaign, with only the northern province of Panjshir resisting the hardline Islamists.
“My military estimate … is that the conditions for a civil war are likely to develop,” General Mark Milley, chairman of the joint cabinet states, told Fox News.
He asked whether the Taliban – who have yet to declare a government – would be able to consolidate power and establish effective governance.
“I think there is at least a very good chance of a wider civil war and that in turn will lead to conditions that could in fact lead to the reconstitution of al-Qaeda or the growth of ISIS or others … terrorist groups, “Milley said.
He stressed that he could not predict what would happen next in Afghanistan, however, he made a bleak assessment.
“Conditions are very likely,” Milley told Fox News, “that you could see a resurgence of terrorism coming out of this general region in 12, 24, 36 months.”
The United States invaded Afghanistan and overthrew the first Taliban regime in 2001 following al-Qaeda attacks, which had sanctuary in the country.
Western governments fear that Afghanistan may once again be a haven for extremists engaged in attacking them.
The United States has said it will maintain an “off-the-horizon” capability to attack any threat to its security in Afghanistan.
When U.S. forces began their withdrawal, the Taliban seized Afghanistan in a lightning campaign, with only the northern province of Panjshir resisting the hardline Islamists.
“My military estimate … is that the conditions for a civil war are likely to develop,” General Mark Milley, chairman of the joint cabinet states, told Fox News.
He asked whether the Taliban – who have yet to declare a government – would be able to consolidate power and establish effective governance.
“I think there is at least a very good chance of a wider civil war and that in turn will lead to conditions that could in fact lead to the reconstitution of al-Qaeda or the growth of ISIS or others … terrorist groups, “Milley said.
He stressed that he could not predict what would happen next in Afghanistan, however, he made a bleak assessment.
“Conditions are very likely,” Milley told Fox News, “that you could see a resurgence of terrorism coming out of this general region in 12, 24, 36 months.”
The United States invaded Afghanistan and overthrew the first Taliban regime in 2001 following al-Qaeda attacks, which had sanctuary in the country.
Western governments fear that Afghanistan may once again be a haven for extremists engaged in attacking them.
The United States has said it will maintain an “off-the-horizon” capability to attack any threat to its security in Afghanistan.