Speaking to Amu TV, a State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Stickney, said that fighting terrorism remains one of the United States’ top priorities in Afghanistan.
She added that the Taliban must honor their counterterrorism commitments.
“Our interests in Afghanistan are protecting our people and protecting our homeland,” she said, urging the Taliban to take action amid Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian crisis.
“We see the people of Afghanistan facing poverty, misery and limited access to basic services, and we want the Taliban to act,” Stickney said.
Responding to a question about the State Department’s recent report to Congress, she said diplomatic engagement with Afghan political and civil society leaders remains important. The report noted that US officials continue regular discussions with representatives of Afghanistan’s former republic government as well as civil society groups.
“It’s important that our diplomats speak with all key leaders — political leaders and those from civil society,” Stickney said. “Overall, our interests in Afghanistan are, first, protecting our people and, second, protecting our homeland. And we want all Americans who have been wrongfully detained to be released soon.”
Stickney also reaffirmed US support for education for Afghan women and girls.
“As you read in the latest report, we are active in supporting education for Afghan women and girls,” she said. “Unfortunately, we see that the Taliban’s restrictions have made life even harder for the Afghan people.”
