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Year 2020 Hailed as Historic for War-Torn Afghanistan

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - Afghanistan endured momentous developments in 2020
   anddespite months of negotiations over peace talks,had no big
   breakthrough. But some observers say they see signs that the
   conflict-torn nation may now be on a more solid path towardpeace.

   The year began with high expectationsfor the South Asian country's long
   war unleashed nearly two decades ago following an invasion by the
   United States and its allies.

   The foreign military intervention, which came in response to the
   September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the U.S., ousted the Islamist
   Taliban from power for harboring al-Qaida leaders accused of planning
   the carnage.

   After nearly two decades of war that has killed an estimated minimum of
   160,000 people, the U.S. sealed a landmark troop withdrawal deal with
   the insurgent Taliban in late February aimed at winding down America's
   longest overseas combat mission.

   The agreement requires all U.S. and allied forces to be out of
   Afghanistan by May 2021 in return for guarantees the Taliban will not
   allow foreign militant groups to use Afghan soil as a base to plan
   terror attacks. The insurgents also pledged to negotiate a lasting
   peace with the Kabul government.

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