News / Afghanistan

Taliban calls for direct talks with US

Tuesday, 27 February 2018 11:19 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 27 February 2018 11:32 AM ]

This file photo, taken on January 21, 2018, shows Afghan security personnel standing guard as smoke billows from the Intercontinental Hotel during a fight between gunmen and Afghan security forces in Kabul, Afghanistan. (By AFP)

The Taliban terrorist group has called for direct talks with the United States in a declared bid to find a “peaceful solution” for the long-running war in Afghanistan, nearly a month after it waged a wave of bloody terror attacks in the capital, Kabul, and elsewhere.

The Taliban “calls on American officials to talk directly to the Political Office” of the group, read a statement released by the Taliban late on Monday, apparently referring to an alleged office in the Qatari capital.

The statement came a day before the second round of a regional peace conference in Kabul, where representatives from 25 countries are to discuss counter-terrorism and conflict resolution strategies.

The seeming openness to talks by the Taliban is unusual for the terrorist group, which has repeatedly declared that it will not enter talks until the US-led foreign troops leave the country.

There was no immediate reaction from the US side.

Earlier this month, the Taliban released an open letter to “the American people” and the US Congress, suggesting that it was prepared for talks.

PressTV-In letter to Americans, Taliban claims it seeks end to war

In an open letter to the “American people,” the Taliban militant group claims it is willing to enter into “peaceful dialog” to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan.

US President Donald Trump said last August that the American military presence in Afghanistan would be open-ended, as Washington intensified aerial strikes on alleged militant strongholds in Afghanistan.

Last month, Trump ruled out holding talks with the Taliban, after a spate of terror attacks by militants in Kabul.

The attacks included a massive assault on the capital’s luxury Intercontinental Hotel, an ambulance bombing in a crowded street, and a raid on a military compound, that killed more than 130 people in total.

The Afghan capital is due to host the Kabul process on Wednesday, focusing on resuming “peace talks” and uniting regional countries in what is being billed as the battle against terrorism.

“At the Kabul conference, we will present a comprehensive peace plan for Taliban and Pakistan,” Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Tuesday.

The Daesh terrorist group is also present in Afghanistan.

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