Abdullah Abdullah, the head of the High Council of National Reconciliation, on Wednesday said that if the Taliban think that they will takeover Afghanistan through military power after the withdrawal of foreign forces, this will be a miscalculation.

Abdullah said that the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan does not mean that international aid to Afghanistan will be cut.

He said that it is now the time for Afghans to come together and resolve their disputes instead of wasting the time by waging war.

“If someone thinks that with the withdrawal of foreign forces the issue will be resolved militarily, this means a prescription for the continuation of the war, so no one should make this miscalculation,” said Abdullah.

“When it is clear that foreigners are no longer here after four months, then is the time that we find a way out on our own to avoid another war in the future—there should be no foreign fighters in our country in the future—this is the solution—the solution is not in wasting time,” added Abdullah.

Ordinary Afghans have also reacted to the announced pullout of foreign troops.

“What this means to the people is that international aid to Afghanistan will be cut off. We will no longer expect help. The world's interest in Afghanistan will be cut off. I think it does not mean that, but it will mean the continuation of cooperation in another way,” added Abdullah, referring to the continuation of foreign aid to Afghanistan in the post-withdrawal era.

Abdullah said that until now it is not clear whether the Taliban will participate in the Istanbul conference or not; however he said that there is not a second alternative to the conflict except peace.