Mansour's death a 'milestone' in fight against terrorism: Obama

US President Barack Obama has confirmed the death of Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour in a drone airstrike, calling it an “important milestone” in fight against terrorism.

“Today marks an important milestone in our longstanding effort to bring peace and prosperity to Afghanistan,” Obama said on Monday during a news conference in Hanoi, Vietnam.

He added that Taliban militants have continued “to plot against and unleash attacks” on American and NATO forces while aligning themselves with terrorist groups like al-Qaeda.

“Mansur rejected efforts by the Afghan government to seriously engage in peace talks and end the violence that has taken the lives of countless innocent Afghan men, women and children,” Obama added.

“The Taliban should seize the opportunity to pursue the only real path for ending this long conflict – joining the Afghan government in a reconciliation process that leads to lasting peace and stability,” the US president continued.

The US Department of Defense announced on Saturday that the military carried out a major operation against Mansour near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and "likely killed" him.

"Mansour has been the leader of the Taliban and actively involved with planning attacks against facilities in Kabul and across Afghanistan, presenting a threat to Afghan civilians and security forces, our personnel, and coalition partners," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said in a statement issued on Saturday.

"Mansour has been an obstacle to peace and reconciliation between the government of Afghanistan and the Taliban, prohibiting Taliban leaders from participating in peace talks with the Afghan government that could lead to an end to the conflict,” Cook added.

Mansour assumed command of the Taliban on July 29 2015, following the death of its longtime leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, who purportedly died on April 23 2013 from tuberculosis. The Taliban revealed last summer that Omar had died.

As the founder of the Taliban, Omar brought the militant group to power following the withdrawal of the Soviet forces from Afghanistan in the 1990s. He was ousted in 2001, when the United States and its allies invaded the country as part of Washington's so-called war on terror.

‘US will continue to help strengthen Afghan forces’

Obama said on Monday that Washington will “continue to help strengthen Afghan security forces and support President [Ashraf] Ghani and the National Unity Government in their efforts to forge the peace and progress that Afghans deserve.”

He also said American forces will continue its strikes against extremist networks which are targeting the US.

“I thank our dedicated military and intelligence personnel who have once again sent a clear message to all those who target our people and our partners - you will have no safe haven,” Obama said.

“Today is a day for us to give thanks to all of the Americans who have served in Afghanistan for so many years with a selfless commitment to the security of our nation and a better future for the Afghan people."

The US and its allies invaded Afghanistan on October 7, 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban regime from power, but after more than 14 years, the foreign troops have still not been able to establish security in the country.

In October last year, Obama announced plans to keep 9,800 US troops in Afghanistan through 2016 and 5,500 in 2017, reneging on his promise to end the war there and bring home most American forces from the Asian country before he leaves office.

According to US officials, Washington would also maintain a large counterterrorism capability of terror drones and Special Operations forces to fight militants in Afghanistan.

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