(MENAFN- Khaama Press)
Ariana News reported that US director of National Intelligence (DNI), Avril Haines, in coordination with Intelligence community leaders on Tuesday release an unclassified annual report to congress about worldwide threats to the national security of the United States.
'We assess that prospects for a peace deal will remain low during the next year. The Taliban is likely to make gains on the battlefield, and the Afghan government will struggle to hold the Taliban at bay if the coalition withdraws support', ATN news quoted Haines.
'Kabul continues to face setbacks on the battlefield, and the Taliban is confident it can achieve military victory,' according to the report.
'Afghan forces continue to secure major cities and other government strongholds, but they remain tied down in defensive missions and have struggled to hold recaptured territory or reestablish a presence in areas abandoned in 2020,' the report indicated.
The released report also stated that 'Iran will hedge its bets in Afghanistan, and its actions may threaten instability'.
Tehran is planning to strengthen its relations with both the Afghan government and the Taliban for benefiting from any possible political outcome, DNI hinted.
'Iran publicly backs Afghan peace talks, but it is worried about a long-term US presence in Afghanistan. As a result, Iran is building ties with both the government in Kabul and the Taliban so it can take advantage of any political outcome,' DNI reported.
This report comes as Biden is set to announce troops' withdrawal from Afghanistan on Wednesday, according to Biden the full withdrawal will take by September 11, 2021.
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