US President Barack Obama has confirmed the death of Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour in a drone airstrike, calling it an “important milestone” in fight against terrorism.
“Today marks an important milestone in our longstanding effort to bring peace and prosperity to Afghanistan,” Obama said on Monday during a news conference in Hanoi, Vietnam.
He added that Taliban militants have continued “to plot against and unleash attacks” on American and NATO forces while aligning themselves with terrorist groups like al-Qaeda.
“Mansur rejected efforts by the Afghan government to seriously engage in peace talks and end the violence that has taken the lives of countless innocent Afghan men, women and children,” Obama added.
“The Taliban should seize the opportunity to pursue the only real path for ending this long conflict – joining the Afghan government in a reconciliation process that leads to lasting peace and stability,” the US…