The U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan is warning that “distressingly high” levels of violence threaten to derail ongoing peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Afghan security inspects the site of a suicide car bombing in Ghor province western of Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Oct. 18. 2020. A suicide car bombing on Sunday killed at least a dozen people and wounded more than 100 others in Afghanistan is western Ghor province officials said.
Zalmay Khalilzad’s comments come as renewed fighting for days has plagued Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province, a longtime Taliban stronghold. The Taliban this Friday agreed to halt its attacks on condition of the U.S. stopping its airstrikes in the area. He added: “The belief that says violence must escalate to win concessions at the negotiating table is very risky. Such an approach can undermine the peace process and repeats past miscalculations by Afghan leaders.”
Omer Zwak, a spokesman for Helmand’s provincial governor, said Monday there were still gun battles in a few areas of the province’s Nad Ali and Nawa districts. The Afghan air force separately conducted limited airstrikes to support Afghan forces trying to retake Taliban-held areas, Zwak said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Despite its 10-day assault in Helmand, Afghan Taliban accuse U.S. military of violating February accordSince Trump’s call for an early troop withdrawal, Taliban peace negotiators have hardened their position.
Read more »
Longtime Afghan rivals face an extraordinary challenge: Making peace with the TalibanOn Sept. 12, the Taliban and an Afghan delegation embarked on complex peace talks. More than a month later, the talks are slow moving and violence at home has not abated, but both sides remain at the table.
Read more »
UK tells EU: door is ajar so come to us with a few Brexit concessionsBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants the European Union to come forward with relatively small concessions on Brexit as the door is still ajar but unless the bloc budges there will be a no-trade deal exit, a minister said on Monday.
Read more »
U.S. military defends air strikes that Taliban says violate troop pactThe U.S. military defended on Sunday its air strikes against Taliban fighters last week, as the insurgent group accused Washington of violating a signed agreement.
Read more »
Australia: Most of 1,100 refugees in US deal have resettledCANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The United States is expected to have resettled more than 1,100 refugees by early next year under a deal President Donald Trump reluctantly honored with Australia, an...
Read more »
Tulsa, Rosewood and Freedom: The History of Black Towns and Communities in the U.S.The first Black town in the United States, Fort Mose, Florida, was founded in 1738.
Read more »