Taliban takeover will inspire terrorists - UK Defence Minister

UK: The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan will inspire terrorists and trigger an “explosion” of extremism and security challenges for the world, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace warned on Thursday.

Speaking to the BBC, the Cabinet minister said he feared that terror groups like Al Qaeda would view the Taliban advance as an “opportunity” and it was important for the West to gear up against such a prospect.

“It’s pretty straightforward. Failed states lead to an explosion of poverty and usually an explosion of extremism or security challenges. That’s why we have invested in capabilities to take action from outside a country,” Wallace said.

“One of the things I felt was wrong about where we were with this deal — you’ve heard me call it a rotten deal — is that around the world Islamists will see what they view as a victory. That will inspire other terrorists,” he said.

“Al-Qaeda is potentially going to look at this as an opportunity. We will have to gear up, tool up,” he added.

The minister, overseeing the evacuation of British nationals from Afghanistan, also dismissed some media reports claiming that planes were flying out of the region half empty. Wallace said seven to 10 Royal Air Force (RAF) packed planes were taking off every day.

The passengers on the flights out of Afghanistan this week have included British Government personnel, British citizens, media and human rights staff and Afghans who had worked for the UK.Meanwhile, The banned Pakistani Taliban or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror group has congratulated the Afghan Taliban on taking control of Afghanistan, describing it as a “victory for the whole Islamic world”, according to a media report on Tuesday. – PTI

by Daily News Sri Lanka

, International, –,defence,inspire,minister,takeover;,taliban,terrorists,will,

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post