USA denies giving fuel to Afghan security forces

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has accused the US of refusing to provide fuel to Afghan security forces as a way of pressurizing them into signing a disputed security agreement. "The cutting of fuel supplies and support services to the Afghan Army and Police is being used as a means of pressure to ensure Afghanistan signs the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA)," said a statment from the President. The BSA would authorize a further 10-year US residual military presence in Afghanistan to continue to train, advise and assist Afghan security forces. It will enable over 15,000 US troops to stay in Afghanistan as NATO/ISAF forces. The Afghan government is reluctant to sign the deal as it is in particular concerned about night raids, operations of Special Operations troops, drone and air strikes carried out by international forces within its territory.

Regarding the fuel situation, the NATO led force in Afghanistan in a press statement said, "There has been no stoppage in the delivery of requested fuel and we continue to process all orders as soon as they are received."

President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai stated last week that he would not sign the agreement before the Afghan presidential elections take place in April 2014.

On the other hand, Washington wants the agreement to be signed by end of 2014; otherwise, they will withdraw all of their troops from Afghanistan.