Page 71 - Taliban

Al-Qaeda still close to Taliban despite assurance to cut ties: UN official

According to the UN official, the Taliban consulted on regular basis with al-Qaeda during the peace negotiations with the US

Afghan-Taliban peace deal: Mediators set rules to safeguard talks

The breakthrough was achieved with the help of US officials, as the two sides drew up 19 ground rules that their negotiators should observe during talks, the sources said

Abdullah Abdullah to visit India to muster support for Afghan peace deal

Abdullah Abdullah is slated to visit New Delhi later this week to muster support for the Afghan peace process and strengthen regional consensus

Direct talks between Afghanistan, Taliban still pending after 22 days

Direct talks between negotiating teams representing Afghanistan government and the Taliban were still pending 22 days after the opening ceremony of the intra-Afghan talks in Doha

Taliban, Pak interested in withdrawal of international forces: Diplomat

The Taliban and Pakistan are interested in the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan more than a peace settlement, a former Pakistani diplomat has said

Top Afghan negotiator in Taliban talks arrives in Pakistan, says report

Abdullah Abdullah, who leads the Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation, was received by top government officials on arriving in Islamabad.

Afghan govt airstrikes kill 24 civilians, including kids, says report

The Afghan Defence Ministry, however, said the airstrikes killed 30 Taliban fighters, but added an investigation was being held into claims that civilians were among those killed

UNSC welcomes start of Afghan Peace talks; urges to engage in good faith

In a statement, the 15-member powerful organ of the world body reaffirmed its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of war-torn Afghanistan

Taliban won't agree to ceasefire unless reason behind war is discussed

The Taliban will not agree to a ceasefire unless peace negotiators discuss the main reason behind the war, said their spokesperson Mohommed Naeem

As election looms large, Trump touts Israel deal and pursues Af peace

Trump has pushed through diplomatic deal in Middle East between Israel and two Arab states, while attempting a peace deal between Taliban and Afghan govt to stake a campaign claim to statesmanship

Jaishankar holds talks with US special envoy for Afghanistan Khalilzad

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held extensive talks with US special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad on the historic peace negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government and related issues. Khalilzad arrived here in the midst of the Afghan peace talks in Doha which are aimed at ending 19 years of war in Afghanistan that has killed tens of thousands of people and ravaged various parts of the country. "Glad to receive Amb. Zalmay Khalilzad @US4AfghanPeace this evening. Useful discussions on the Doha Meeting and its follow-up," Jaishankar tweeted. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla were also present in the meeting. Khalilzad visited Islamabad on Monday where he met Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and discussed the Afghan peace process among other issues. On Saturday, an Indian delegation attended the inaugural ceremony of the intra-Afghan negotiations in Doha while Jaishankar joined it throu

Doha talks make progress at first meeting: Afghan government negotiators

Participants in the peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban that are currently underway in Qatar have made some progress during the Sunday contact group session

Fresh clashes between Taliban, Afghan Army result in multiple casualties

Clashes between the Afghan army and the Taliban in the country's southern province of Kandahar and eastern province of Nangarhar have left at least six insurgents killed and many others injured

Kabul blast kills 10 civilians, vice president suffers minor injuries

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack and the Taliban quickly denied they were behind the bombing

Taliban attacked a military base in Afghanistan, killing at least three

Five other forces were wounded in the attack, said Abdul Rahman Mangal, a spokesman for the governor in Paktia province

High-level Taliban delegation in Pakistan for Afghan peace process

The Taliban delegation led by their political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar is visiting Islamabad at the invitation of the country's foreign office

Taliban set powerful negotiating team for intra-Afghanistan talks

The Taliban's chief has finalised a negotiating team that is to have sweeping decision-making powers in upcoming intra-Afghan negotiations

Kabul begins release of final 400 Taliban prisoners, talks to follow

Afghanistan has released the first 80 of a final 400 Taliban prisoners, paving the way for negotiations between the warring sides in Afghanistan's protracted conflict, the government said

Withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan to benefit China: Report

The US' decision to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan after 20 years of war against the Taliban will be an advantage for China to establish its influence in the region

Pompeo, Taliban deputy chief discuss intra-Afghan talks over video-call

Mike Pompeo and Taliban deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar discussed the start of the intra-Afghan talks and the ongoing situation in Afghanistan