KABUL – As the US-led foreign troops are preparing for a major assault against the Taliban, the Afghan group rejected Sunday, February 7, a West-backed offer by the Hamid Karzai government for reconciliation.

 
"This is not the first time that the Kabul regime and the invading countries want to throw dust into the eyes of the public of the world by announcing reconciliation in words and, in practice, make preparation for war," the Taliban said in an online statement cited by Reuters.

"Similarly, they put forward conditions, which are tantamount to escalating the war rather than ending it.

“For example, they want Mujahideen to lay down arms, accept the constitution and renounce violence. None can name this reconciliation."

The Afghan government unveiled last month a plan to reach out the “disenchanted brothers” in the Taliban by offering them aid to lay down arms.

Backing the move, major powers agreed to establish a 500-million-dollar fund to lure the Taliban fighters to the government ranks.

Karzai has also sought the help of Saudi Arabia to reach out the Afghan group.

The Taliban described Karzai’s reconciliation offer as “futile and farcical” as he conditioned the group to lay down arms.

It stipulated the withdrawal of foreign troops and establishment of an Islamic system for peace in the central Asian country.

"Our first priority is to achieve these goals through talks and negotiation," the statement said.

"But if the invading powers in Afghanistan are not ready to give the Afghans their natural rights ... then the Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate are determined to carry on the fight until the realisation of the said goals."

Taliban, ousted by the 2001 US invasion, have been launching a guerrilla warfare against foreign troops and the West-backed Karzai government.

A recent report by the International Council on Security and Development (ICOS) said that Taliban had widened its influence to cover almost all Afghanistan.

Ready for Assault

The rejection comes as the Afghan group has amassed weapons and fighters against an imminent assault by foreign and Afghan troops in its southern stronghold of Helmand.

"We are well prepared and will fight until the end,” Abdullah Nasrat, a Taliban commander in Nad Ali district in Helmand, told Reuters.

“We don't have sophisticated weapons like the Americans with tanks and air planes, but we have Islamic zeal. That is the power we have to fight against the infidels."

Villagers also confirmed the Taliban digging for the big assault.

"The Taliban are not going to leave Marjah,” said Abdul Manan, a man from Marjah who had fled to Helmand’s capital Lashkar Gah.

“We have seen them preparing themselves. They are bringing in people and weapons. We know there is going to be a big fight.

Another villager Abdul Khaleq also confirmed the Taliban preparations.

"The Taliban are very active in Marjah,” said Abdul Khaleq, who fled with his family to Lashkar Gah.

“They are planting mines there and in the surrounding areas."

The expected assault has sent hundreds of Afghan civilians to flee their homes in the southern province.

"We know that the wrath of the Americans is coming upon us,” said Abdul Khaleq.

“We left Marjah to save our lives and our families' lives."