Context
The US-led military coalition on Thursday accused an Al-Qaeda linked network operating jointly with the Taliban for a deadly assault on a Kabul hotel—which raised doubts over Afghan forces’ ability to tackle security after foreign forces leave. NATO also said that a commander of the Haqqani group who allegedly provided assistance to the attackers, including training and weapons, was killed in an airstrike Wednesday night in the Afghan province of Paktia. The Pakistan-based Haqqani group, with ties to both the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, is believed to be one of the biggest threats to peace in Afghanistan.
