Afghanistan will release 400 “hard-core” Taliban prisoners to start peace talks between the government and the militant group, Reuters reported. Members of the Loya Jirga Assembly in Afghanistan on Sunday approved the release, which the Taliban demanded before entering into talks. “To remove an obstacle, allow the beginning of the …
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Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has agreed to release 400 Taliban detainees after a large Afghan assembly known as the Loya Jirga passed a resolution approving the movement. The resolution advocating the release of the prisoners was adopted on Sunday at the end of a three-day Loya Jirga, a traditional Afghan …
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The Independent employs journalists from around the world to bring you truly independent journalism. To support us, consider a contribution. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured lawmakers on Thursday that the Trump administration has clashed with top Russian diplomats and military officials over alleged rewards Russia has offered to Taliban-linked …
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The US State Department has issued warnings to Russia that there will be repercussions if Moscow pays rewards to the Taliban for successfully killing US soldiers, according to two senior US officials and one other person with knowledge of the matter. The warnings were issued through the department’s diplomatic channels …
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The Taliban announced a three-day ceasefire in Afghanistan during the Muslim Eid al-Adha festival that will begin on Friday. The move, announced Tuesday, could signal the start of protracted peace talks after President Ashraf Ghani noted that negotiations with the Taliban could begin next week. The Taliban proposed the ceasefire …
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