Telegraph, UK
10/19/2006
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Taliban commanders boasted of a victory against Nato-led forces yesterday, a day after British troops withdrew from a strategic area in southern Afghanistan.

The withdrawal of 120 troops from Musa Qala in Helmand province followed a pact reached a month ago between British commanders and tribal elders to allow hundreds of locals who had fled the fighting to return to their homes.

Mullah Gul Agha said that the withdrawal signalled a victory for his forces. "We have won and the guests have been defeated," he said.

advertisementThe Taliban claims that it struck a deal with Musa Qala's tribal elders agreeing to cease violence if the security in the district was transferred to local people selected by the elders and if the British agreed to withdraw.

Mullah Agha, who claimed to be speaking by satellite telephone from Musa Qala, said the tribal elders also agreed to consult the Taliban on issues related to vice and virtue. "The elders have agreed to consult us on matters relating to such crimes as theft and adultery," he said.

Another local Taliban commander, Mullah Noorullah, said: "The Taliban have emerged victorious."

Mark Laity, a Nato spokesman in Kabul, said the decision to withdraw the troops had come about "because of the sustained period of calm", adding that Afghan security forces would be in charge of security.

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