The Pentagon has threatened 65 Bagram prisoners released by the Afghan government on Thursday that they would be “legitimate targets” if they fight US forces in Afghanistan.
“If they choose to return to the fight, they become legitimate enemies and legitimate targets,” the Pentagon’s press secretary, Navy Rear Admiral John Kirby said on Friday.
“Should one of these detainees rejoin the fight, they need to know that they do it at their own peril,” he added.
The threat came after Kabul released the prisoners from the former US prison in Afghanistan despite pressures from Washington.
The US has described the released prisoners as “dangerous criminals” who have been involved in wounding and killing of US-led forces.
However, the Afghan government says a review of the released inmates’ cases by Afghan intelligence and judicial officials found no or not enough evidence of wrongdoing against them.
The Pentagon’s threat comes as Afghan President Hamid Karzai urged Washington on Thursday to “respect Afghanistan’s sovereignty” saying, “If the Afghan judicial authorities decide to release the prisoners, it is of no concern to the US and should be of no concern to the US.”
The release of the prisoners has put further strain on Washington-Kabul relations as the administration of President Barack Obama is seeking to sign a bilateral security deal with the Afghan government that could allow thousands of US troops to stay in Afghanistan for up to a decade beyond 2014.
Despite pressures from the Obama administration and Congress, Karzai has so far refused to sign the deal. The White House says the agreement is not renegotiable and “ought to be signed.”
Meanwhile, US National Intelligence Director James Clapper has indicated that it would be better for the US to wait until after Afghanistan’s presidential elections in April, hoping a new Afghan president might sign the deal.
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