Taliban Claim Victory In Afghan War

As the Afghan War officially ends, the Taliban considers it a defeat for NATO, the US and its allies.

The Taliban responded scornfully Monday to the formal end of NATO's war in Afghanistan, describing the U.S.-led mission as a "fire of barbarism and cruelty" that had drowned the country "in a pool of blood".

Barbarism and cruelty.  Projecting much?

The insurgent group issued the statement in English a day after NATO marked the closure of its combat mission with a low-key ceremony in Kabul, arranged in secret due to the threat of Taliban attack.

"We consider this step a clear indication of their defeat and disappointment," the Taliban said.

"America, its invading allies... along with all international arrogant organizations have been handed a clear-cut defeat in this lopsided war."

10,000 civilians have been killed or wounded this year, thanks to the Taliban who were responsible for 75 percent of those casualties.

NATO will remain in Afghanistan, in spite of the end of the war.

On January 1 NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) combat mission will be replaced by a "training and support" mission.

About 12,500 NATO troops will stay on in Afghanistan.

No doubt, the violence will continue until the Taliban regains full control of the country. They said as much in their statement. They plan on fighting

 "for the establishment of a pure Islamic system by expelling the remaining invading forces unconditionally" and  "continue its Jihad and struggle so long as a single foreigner remains in Afghanistan in a military uniform".

Recently elected President Ashraf Ghani will have his hands full. He claims he's open to peace talks, but the Taliban never has been in the past. They want full Islamic control of the country. They won't settle for anything less.

What a waste of American blood.