Taliban say US drone flights violate Trump-era deal

The Taliban on Tuesday asked the U.S. to cease drone patrols in Afghan airspace, arguing they violate an agreement made last year between the group and the Trump administration, The Washington Post reported. 

The deal between the Trump White House and the Taliban, also known as the Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan, was signed February 29, 2020 in Doha, Qatar, initiating the end of the nearly-20-year war.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement to the Post that the “US is violating the Doha agreement and International laws. The US actions are contrary to it had committed in Doha, Qatar. We hope the US should review its actions, and stop intrusion into our space.”

“We call upon all the countries, especially the US, to respect Afghanistan sovereignty under the international laws. We expect mutual respect from all to avoid mishaps,” he reportedly continued. 

“Under the international laws, every state is responsible for defending the sovereignty of its air and ground space,” Mujahid said. 

The Post report came as top U.S. military leaders faced rough questions from senators on Capitol Hill on the handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, which was swiftly followed by the Taliban takeover.