London: ‘The Taliban’s victory has given Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups the opportunity to use Afghanistan’s territory, which is not ruled by a legitimate government anymore, to launch 9/11-style attacks on Western countries. If these terrorists cannot carry out attacks on the United States, they will strike the UK or other European countries,’ a former senior UK military official warned. The former head of the British intelligence service also warned of a growing threat of terrorist attacks in Europe. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has hinted at working with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. In such a scenario, the warning given by the former British official assumes significance. 

The United Nations (UN) has accused the Taliban of cooperating with Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda is active in 15 provinces of Afghanistan and is in touch with Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada. Therefore, European analysts are warning that the victory of the Taliban in Afghanistan is a victory not only for the Taliban but also for Al Qaeda and other terrorist organisations. Owing to this victory, Afghanistan will once again not be ruled by a legitimate government. Analysts say Afghanistan’s territory will become a breeding ground for terrorist organisations. 

Lord Jonathan Evans, former head of the British intelligence agency MI5, has expressed concern that if the Taliban, Al Qaeda and other terrorist organisations take advantage of the military infrastructure built by Western countries in Afghanistan over the past few years, it could pose a threat to Western countries. Terrorists using Afghanistan will carry out attacks like 9/11 in the US or Britain and European countries. Colonel Richard Kemp, a former senior British military official, warned that terrorists would target government buildings and playgrounds. 

Colonel Kemp told a British newspaper that the terrorists, trained in terrorism in Afghanistan and have British citizenship, or supporters of the Taliban and Al Qaeda in the UK, pose the biggest threat. Although Taliban leaders show a liberal face to the world and proclaim women’s rights, European countries should look at it more cautiously, Hans-Jacob Schindler warned. Dr Schindler is a military analyst working for a leading news outlet in Europe, claimed that cooperation between the Taliban and Al Qaeda would never be broken. 

According to Taliban supporters, the IS could not attain the kind of victory in Iraq and Syria like the military outfit has received in Afghanistan. It is the most alarming bell for European countries, Schindler said. Furthermore, Schindler expressed concern that the Taliban would not live up to its promises to the West and would launch terrorist attacks on European countries from Afghanistan in the near future. 

Meanwhile, a large number of Afghans terrorised by the Taliban’s victory have fled to European countries. Turkey has avoided taking responsibility for the Afghans, saying its country is not a refugee camp. As a result, European countries are worried that there are increased chances of the influx of Afghan refugees storming into Europe. 

हिंदी  मराठी

Click below to express your thoughts and views on this news:

	https://twitter.com/WW3Info
	https://www.facebook.com/WW3Info