KABUL – US President Joe Biden reassured Congress on Thursday about the readiness of American forces to address potential threats emerging from Afghanistan. In a letter, President Biden emphasized the continued presence of US military personnel strategically positioned outside Afghanistan to tackle any threats to the United States and its interests arising from the region.

The letter serves as a key aspect of President Biden’s commitment to keeping Congress informed about the deployment of combat-ready United States Armed Forces. He highlighted that the ongoing operations, conducted in collaboration with international partners, have been effective in significantly diminishing ISIS capabilities in Syria and Iraq.

President Biden also referred to the deployment of American military forces in various locations, including the Arabian Peninsula, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, South Africa, Cuba, and the Philippines.

Despite more than two years passing since the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan, concerns persist about potential terrorist activities in the region. The recent US State Department annual terrorism report indicates sustained activity of groups such as al-Qaeda, Daesh, and regionally focused terrorist organizations in Afghanistan.

The report also mentioned that Afghanistan’s neighbors are deeply concerned about potential terrorist threats emanating from the region. While the Taliban committed to preventing terrorist groups from using Afghanistan as a base for attacks against the United States and its allies, uncertainties remain about their ability to prevent external operations by groups like al-Qaeda, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, and ISIS-K.

The US Department of State highlighted in its 2022 report that despite Taliban assurances not to allow Afghanistan’s soil for attacks on other countries, they continue to provide shelter to certain terrorist groups.

Culled from Afghanistan Times