The Afghan Taliban claimed in their annual session in Kandahar that a neighbouring country[Pakistan] was involved in the drone attack that killed Al-Qaeda supremo Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul on July 31st.
The Afghan Taliban had their annual gathering in Kandahar on Wednesday where they discussed the issues confronting the country, like the impending economic collapse, the foreign policy and the recent American drone strike that killed Ayman al-Zawahiri. Taliban chief Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada headed the session.
The Taliban condemned the drone attack on al-Zawahiri as a violation of Afghanistan’s airspace and sovereignty and said that a “neighbouring country” was involved in the attack. They did not specifically name the country, but analysts inferred they were pointing fingers at Pakistan, as there were initial reports that the US had used Pakistani airspace to target al-Zawahiri.
The Pakistani media denied these claims, arguing that the drone targeting al-Zawahiri had flown from Kyrgyzstan, but the US neither confirmed nor denied the rumours. Commentators argue that it was the Pakistani officials who had confirmed al-Zawahiri’s whereabouts and gave America the go-ahead for the strike.
Akhundzada also said that Afghanistan has gained “independence” after years of hard work and dedication, and every Afghan is equally bound to safeguard it. He said that the Taliban would deal with the international community in line with Sharia law. The Taliban supremo urged his fellow politicians to not fall prey to “foreign propaganda” and said that the traders and merchants should invest in Afghanistan to buttress the economy and provide employment for the people.