PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON: The White House on Thursday declined to describe Afghanistan's Taliban as a terrorist group, prompting consternation from the right, which accused President Barack Obama's administration of being out of touch.
"They do carry out tactics that are akin to terrorism, they do pursue terror attacks in an effort to advance their agenda," said White House spokesperson Josh Earnest.
"What's also true though is that it is important to draw a distinction between the Taliban and al Qaeda," he said, pointing to a difference in designation.
"The Taliban is a very dangerous organisation," he added.
The Treasury Department has imposed anti-terror sanctions on around 2,000 Taliban fighters, leaders, supporters and financiers.
But the White House's distinction got short shrift from its political opponents, with Republicans sending footage of the comments to supporters.
"It slits throats, it attacks buses, it drives car bombs into markets and it's not a terrorist group. Look, you can't parody this administration," said conservative commentator Charles Krauthammer.
Others said the White House's distinction was based more on politics than reality, pointing to the negotiated release of Taliban captive and US soldier Bowe Bergdahl.
The White House says it does not negotiate with terror groups.
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A stupid statement from the White House official. The Taliban are terrorists. If they agree to renounce violence and become peaceful, only then we should stop calling them terrorists
last time i check they also killed thousands of american soldiers......
@Tyggar: They come from the same bloodline, share ideology, and tactics. The only difference is that the later are supported, and financed by a neighboring country beside their traditional paymasters from the Middle East.
I do not agree with this. Talibans are terrorists just like Al Quaida and IS.
As long as it bombs Pakistan and murders it citizens, the Saudis and the US will never label Taliban a terrorist. The plot is getting clearer, slowly but surely.
@Blunt: US created the Afghan Mujahideen to fight the Soviets,however the Taliban was solely the creation of Pakistan to achieve strategic depth after the Soviets had withdrawn from Afghanistan. The Afghan Mujahideen and Taliban are entirely different entities.
Just another reason that Obama's popularity in the USA ranks lower than George Bush Jr .. and that's down their with whale excrement.
How about Haqqani network? Never been a surprise, after all Taliban are the creation of 'White House' in the first place. No wonder, if they still continue to support them to justify their invasion and occupation of various countries.
Oh how the tables have turned!