The Taliban is investigating reports of rocket attacks on two military bases in Helmand, according to spokesman Zabihullah, who said that fighters of the group have been ordered not to attack Americans.
According to a New York Times report, roughly a dozen rockets struck in late July around Camp Bastion, an air base used by Afghan and American forces in Helmand. And several rockets were fired within the last week or so at Camp Dwyer, a large US military base about 50 miles south of Bastion.
“Based on the Doha agreement, the Taliban should not attack Americans so that they can process their withdrawal from Afghanistan,” said Sayed Akbar Agha, a former Taliban commander. “But a start of attacks between the US and the Taliban can harm the peace process.”
The rocket attacks did not cause casualties at the two bases where US forces were stationed.
Critics questioned why the attacks were leaked to the media one month after they happened.
“They are investigating whether the attacks had connections with Iran and Russia; therefore, the issue was made public a month after it happened,” free-lance journalist Sami Yousafzai said.
The Defense Ministry said that in accordance with the peace agreement, US forces have evacuated five bases in Helmand, Ghazni, Paktia and Nangarhar.
According to New York Times, Camp Bastion was once the logistics hub for US and NATO troops in Helmand. Conjoined by the US Marine base Camp Leatherneck, the base was handed over to the Afghan security forces in 2014.
Resolute Support did not comment on the Taliban attacks, but the Afghan government accused the Taliban of increased violence in the country.
“The one thing from the Doha agreement that was implemented by them (the Taliban) was that they did not attack Americans but now apparently they have violated this, too,” presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said at a press conference on Monday.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary Antonio Guterres in a recent report on Afghanistan to the Security Council called on parties to approach peace negotiations in a spirit of commitment and conciliation, with an inclusive process offering the best hope of a sustainable solution.