Afghanistan's conflict has driven hundreds of thousands of people -- most of them children -- from their homes this year, prompting a huge need for humanitarian aid across the war-torn nation, the UN said Thursday.

According to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 217,000 people had to flee their homes because of fighting during the first seven months of 2019.&nbsp;

Of these people displaced by war, 58 per cent were children under 18, OCHA said.

The issue of internal displacement is being compounded by natural disasters including a historic drought, which last year forced about 245,000 people to move -- and about 100,000 of them have not yet returned.

OCHA "estimates that close to a million people on the move will need humanitarian assistance by the end of the year," the agency said in a statement.

Afghanistan's war, which has raged in one form or another for four decades, has pushed millions of people out of the country over that time.

OCHA said that between January and July, 270,000 people had returned from Iran, which is in the grips of an economic crisis, and another 16,700 from Pakistan.

The US and the Taliban are expected to announce a deal that would see a withdrawal of international forces, potentially prompting more conflict and displacement.

Afghanistan's conflict has driven hundreds of thousands of people -- most of them children -- from their homes this year, prompting a huge need for humanitarian aid across the war-torn nation, the UN said Thursday.

Afghanistan's conflict has driven hundreds of thousands of people -- most of them children -- from their homes this year, prompting a huge need for humanitarian aid across the war-torn nation, the UN said Thursday. According to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 217,000 people had to flee their homes because of fighting during the first seven months of 2019. Of these people displaced by war, 58 per cent were children under 18, OCHA said. The issue of internal displacement is being compounded by natural disasters including a historic drought, which last year forced about 245,000 people to move -- and about 100,000 of them have not yet returned. OCHA "estimates that close to a million people on the move will need humanitarian assistance by the end of the year," the agency said in a statement. Afghanistan's war, which has raged in one form or another for four decades, has pushed millions of people out of the country over that time. OCHA said that between January and July, 270,000 people had returned from Iran, which is in the grips of an economic crisis, and another 16,700 from Pakistan. The US and the Taliban are expected to announce a deal that would see a withdrawal of international forces, potentially prompting more conflict and displacement.

Afghan conflict displacing hundreds of thousands

Sixteen-year-old Madina still has nightmares about the day two huge blasts tore through her school in Kabul, showering shards of broken window glass on her and other students.&nbsp;

She survived, with lacerations to her arms and legs. The physical wounds are slowly healing, but she remains haunted by the stress of the attack.

Madina, like many of her generation in Afghanistan, has never known peace and experts warn the psychological impact of living in a country where schools are often on the front line, and counselling is in short supply, can be overwhelming.

"It was a scary day. I still have nightmares, I cannot focus, it was very hard to prepare for exams," Madina recalled.

She had to take her maths exam in the corridor at her shattered school as many classrooms have been left unusable.

The US and Taliban claim progress in ongoing peace talks, but little has changed for Afghans, and recent attacks underscore how children remain as vulnerable as ever in the grinding conflict.

A UN tally found last year was the deadliest on record, with at least 3,804 civilian deaths caused by the war -- including 927 children. And in the first six months of 2019, children accounted for nearly one-third of civilian casualties.

"In the first few days after the attack, you could see the trauma on students' faces, they would cry every minute," Madina's school director Niamatullah Hamdard said.

'Stressed out'

According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the number of attacks against Afghan schools tripled last year compared to 2017. By the end of 2018, more than 1,000 Afghan schools had been shut due to conflict, denying about 500,000 Afghan kids access to education.

In the arid Deh Bala district of Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan, the Papen high school has been reduced to rubble amid fighting between government forces and the Islamic State group.

Kids sit on a rug outside for a class, frowning as a reporter approaches. Some of them have witnessed IS fighters beheading locals.

"When the students go to sleep at night, they dream about Daesh and they are haunted by these atrocities," school director Muhamad Wali said, using the local name for IS.

"They scream in their sleep, and when they come here they are so stressed out."

Omar Ghorzang, a school district official, said the stress takes a huge toll.&nbsp;

"When the teachers are talking to them, the kids talk among themselves and do bizarre things. They cannot pay attention", Ghorzang said.

Amir Gul, aged about 15, said he and his Papen classmates are constantly anxious.

"We are always afraid a bomb might go off. Everyone is scared and no one can study," he said.

Psychotherapist Bethan McEvoy, who works as an education advisor for the Norwegian Refugee Council in Kabul, said it can be tough to assess the prevalence of mental illness and emotional trauma resulting from school attacks.

That's because symptoms of psychological trauma often manifest only after the shock has subsided -- and in Afghanistan, people can spend years living through one stressful event after another.

"When we experience a high-stress event, there's a natural response in our body that turns into a survival response," she said. "When people are in a state of constant fear ... then it's very difficult to turn that response off."

How people are impacted in the long term depends on many factors including their background, family relations and support networks.

"If a school has something in place to provide that kind of support to the child then it can actually be very helpful," McEvoy said, noting that more can be done to provide services in Afghanistan.

- Counselling needed - 
At the Kabul school, much of the debris had been cleared, but twisted metal poked through a collapsed roof and the crunch of broken glass could still be felt underfoot in areas away from where the kids play.

Days after the Kabul attack, a Taliban car bomb targeted a government intelligence centre in the eastern city of Ghazni. The blast also hit a nearby school, wounding dozens of children.

Barely a day goes by without reports of children or families being killed or wounded.&nbsp;

It is not just insurgent groups responsible for the killing.&nbsp;

A recent Pentagon report found US forces in Afghanistan caused 134 civilian casualties in 2018. Of the 76 among them who died, 31 were children.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said war explosives account for 84 percent of all child casualties in Afghanistan.

"Physical injuries can pale in comparison to the emotional scars many children may carry with them for years," Save the Children's Afghanistan director Onno van Manen said after the Ghazni attack.

Wali, the school director in Nangarghar, said security risks made it hard for aid groups to offer counselling for his students.

But after the attack in Kabul, the ministry of health stepped in for a few days.

Madina said the therapy has helped.

She added: "It was useful, but it was too short."&nbsp;

Sixteen-year-old Madina still has nightmares about the day two huge blasts tore through her school in Kabul, showering shards of broken window glass on her and other students.

Sixteen-year-old Madina still has nightmares about the day two huge blasts tore through her school in Kabul, showering shards of broken window glass on her and other students. She survived, with lacerations to her arms and legs. The physical wounds are slowly healing, but she remains haunted by the stress of the attack. Madina, like many of her generation in Afghanistan, has never known peace and experts warn the psychological impact of living in a country where schools are often on the front line, and counselling is in short supply, can be overwhelming. "It was a scary day. I still have nightmares, I cannot focus, it was very hard to prepare for exams," Madina recalled. She had to take her maths exam in the corridor at her shattered school as many classrooms have been left unusable. The US and Taliban claim progress in ongoing peace talks, but little has changed for Afghans, and recent attacks underscore how children remain as vulnerable as ever in the grinding conflict. A UN tally found last year was the deadliest on record, with at least 3,804 civilian deaths caused by the war -- including 927 children. And in the first six months of 2019, children accounted for nearly one-third of civilian casualties. "In the first few days after the attack, you could see the trauma on students' faces, they would cry every minute," Madina's school director Niamatullah Hamdard said. 'Stressed out' According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the number of attacks against Afghan schools tripled last year compared to 2017. By the end of 2018, more than 1,000 Afghan schools had been shut due to conflict, denying about 500,000 Afghan kids access to education. In the arid Deh Bala district of Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan, the Papen high school has been reduced to rubble amid fighting between government forces and the Islamic State group. Kids sit on a rug outside for a class, frowning as a reporter approaches. Some of them have witnessed IS fighters beheading locals. "When the students go to sleep at night, they dream about Daesh and they are haunted by these atrocities," school director Muhamad Wali said, using the local name for IS. "They scream in their sleep, and when they come here they are so stressed out." Omar Ghorzang, a school district official, said the stress takes a huge toll. "When the teachers are talking to them, the kids talk among themselves and do bizarre things. They cannot pay attention", Ghorzang said. Amir Gul, aged about 15, said he and his Papen classmates are constantly anxious. "We are always afraid a bomb might go off. Everyone is scared and no one can study," he said. Psychotherapist Bethan McEvoy, who works as an education advisor for the Norwegian Refugee Council in Kabul, said it can be tough to assess the prevalence of mental illness and emotional trauma resulting from school attacks. That's because symptoms of psychological trauma often manifest only after the shock has subsided -- and in Afghanistan, people can spend years living through one stressful event after another. "When we experience a high-stress event, there's a natural response in our body that turns into a survival response," she said. "When people are in a state of constant fear ... then it's very difficult to turn that response off." How people are impacted in the long term depends on many factors including their background, family relations and support networks. "If a school has something in place to provide that kind of support to the child then it can actually be very helpful," McEvoy said, noting that more can be done to provide services in Afghanistan. - Counselling needed - At the Kabul school, much of the debris had been cleared, but twisted metal poked through a collapsed roof and the crunch of broken glass could still be felt underfoot in areas away from where the kids play. Days after the Kabul attack, a Taliban car bomb targeted a government intelligence centre in the eastern city of Ghazni. The blast also hit a nearby school, wounding dozens of children. Barely a day goes by without reports of children or families being killed or wounded. It is not just insurgent groups responsible for the killing. A recent Pentagon report found US forces in Afghanistan caused 134 civilian casualties in 2018. Of the 76 among them who died, 31 were children. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said war explosives account for 84 percent of all child casualties in Afghanistan. "Physical injuries can pale in comparison to the emotional scars many children may carry with them for years," Save the Children's Afghanistan director Onno van Manen said after the Ghazni attack. Wali, the school director in Nangarghar, said security risks made it hard for aid groups to offer counselling for his students. But after the attack in Kabul, the ministry of health stepped in for a few days. Madina said the therapy has helped. She added: "It was useful, but it was too short."

When school's not safe: Afghan war takes toll on kids

Taliban and US negotiators have wrapped up their latest round of talks for a deal that would see America shrink its troop presence in Afghanistan, a Taliban spokesman said Monday.

According to Zabihullah Mujahid, the eighth round of talks, which had been taking place in Doha, finished after midnight.

"Work was tedious &amp; effective. Both sides agreed to consult their respective leaderships for next steps," he wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

There was no immediate comment from the US embassy in Kabul.&nbsp;

On Sunday, US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted, "I hope this is the last Eid where Afghanistan is at war," referring to the Eid al-Adha festival currently taking place in the Muslim world.

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Eid Mubarak. I hope this is the last Eid where <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> is at war. I know Afghans yearn for peace. We stand with them and are working hard toward a lasting &amp; honorable peace agreement and a sovereign Afghanistan which poses no threat to any other country.
— U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) <a href="https://twitter.com/US4AfghanPeace/status/1160546469415411713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Speculation has reached fever pitch in Kabul in recent days that an announcement about a US-Taliban deal may be imminent.

The US has been negotiating with its longtime foe over the past year for a pact that would see the Pentagon begin to withdraw its 14,000 troops from Afghanistan.

Washington is keen to end its 18-year involvement in Afghanistan, where it has spent more than $1 trillion, and President Donald Trump has said he wants troops out.

In return, the Taliban would commit to various security guarantees, including that the Islamist hardliners who long harboured Al-Qaeda would not allow Afghanistan to become a jihadist safe haven.

A US-Taliban agreement would not in itself bring Afghanistan's war to an end, as the insurgents would still need to make a deal with the Kabul government.

Many Afghans had been hoping for a ceasefire to be announced over Eid. This has not happened, but recent days have been relatively calm.

On Monday, Afghanistan's intelligence service announced 35 Taliban prisoners would be released "as a gesture of goodwill".

"The release of these prisoners is a clear sign of the strong will of the government for peace and end to war", the agency said in a statement.

The Taliban and Afghan security forces periodically release enemy prisoners.

Taliban and US negotiators have wrapped up their latest round of talks for a deal that would see America shrink its troop presence in Afghanistan, a Taliban spokesman said Monday.

Taliban and US negotiators have wrapped up their latest round of talks for a deal that would see America shrink its troop presence in Afghanistan, a Taliban spokesman said Monday. According to Zabihullah Mujahid, the eighth round of talks, which had been taking place in Doha, finished after midnight. "Work was tedious & effective. Both sides agreed to consult their respective leaderships for next steps," he wrote on Twitter. There was no immediate comment from the US embassy in Kabul. On Sunday, US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted, "I hope this is the last Eid where Afghanistan is at war," referring to the Eid al-Adha festival currently taking place in the Muslim world. Eid Mubarak. I hope this is the last Eid where #Afghanistan is at war. I know Afghans yearn for peace. We stand with them and are working hard toward a lasting & honorable peace agreement and a sovereign Afghanistan which poses no threat to any other country. — U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) August 11, 2019 × Speculation has reached fever pitch in Kabul in recent days that an announcement about a US-Taliban deal may be imminent. The US has been negotiating with its longtime foe over the past year for a pact that would see the Pentagon begin to withdraw its 14,000 troops from Afghanistan. Washington is keen to end its 18-year involvement in Afghanistan, where it has spent more than $1 trillion, and President Donald Trump has said he wants troops out. In return, the Taliban would commit to various security guarantees, including that the Islamist hardliners who long harboured Al-Qaeda would not allow Afghanistan to become a jihadist safe haven. A US-Taliban agreement would not in itself bring Afghanistan's war to an end, as the insurgents would still need to make a deal with the Kabul government. Many Afghans had been hoping for a ceasefire to be announced over Eid. This has not happened, but recent days have been relatively calm. On Monday, Afghanistan's intelligence service announced 35 Taliban prisoners would be released "as a gesture of goodwill". "The release of these prisoners is a clear sign of the strong will of the government for peace and end to war", the agency said in a statement. The Taliban and Afghan security forces periodically release enemy prisoners.

Latest round of peace talks with US finished: Taliban

US President Donald Trump wants to begin <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/afghan-presidential-candidates-fear-for-safety-after-attack-239294">withdrawing troops from Afghanistan</a> before the 2020 election, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday.

Pompeo was asked during an event at the Economic Club of Washington if he expected to see a drawdown before November next year, and he answered, "That's my directive from the president of the United States."

"He's been unambiguous, end the endless wars, drawdown," said Pompeo.

Before winning the presidential election in 2016, Trump pledged to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan and end America's longest war.

But he agreed after taking power to send over more soldiers and now there are around 14,000 in Afghanistan.

For the past year, the US has been negotiating with the Taliban to reach a peace agreement ending the 18-year war.

Pompeo said Monday the talks have made "real progress" and he added that he was optimistic.

The US seems eager to speed up the peace talks as Afghanistan prepares for a presidential election in September and America for the 2020 vote.

US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad is in Kabul and in a few days will travel to Qatar for another round of negotiations with the Taliban.

US President Donald Trump wants to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan before the 2020 election, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday. Pompeo was asked during an event at the Economic Club of Washington if he expected to see a drawdown before November next year, and he answered, "That's my directive from the president of the United States.

US President Donald Trump wants to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan before the 2020 election, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday. Pompeo was asked during an event at the Economic Club of Washington if he expected to see a drawdown before November next year, and he answered, "That's my directive from the president of the United States." "He's been unambiguous, end the endless wars, drawdown," said Pompeo. Before winning the presidential election in 2016, Trump pledged to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan and end America's longest war. But he agreed after taking power to send over more soldiers and now there are around 14,000 in Afghanistan. For the past year, the US has been negotiating with the Taliban to reach a peace agreement ending the 18-year war. Pompeo said Monday the talks have made "real progress" and he added that he was optimistic. The US seems eager to speed up the peace talks as Afghanistan prepares for a presidential election in September and America for the 2020 vote. US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad is in Kabul and in a few days will travel to Qatar for another round of negotiations with the Taliban.

Donald Trump wants troop withdrawal in Afghan before 2020 election: US State Secretary Mike Pompeo

Hundreds of Afghans, weary of war and unsure of the future, have joined a letter-writing campaign to share their feelings with the powerful few who will decide on peace with the Taliban and, with it, the fate of their country.

The letters from different parts of Afghanistan express a tangled mix of confusion, resignation and fear.

"I live in grief but I smile. People think I am brave but I have no choice," wrote one unidentified person.

The letters, part of a project called Dard-e-Dil (a painful heart) are addressed to US diplomats, the Taliban and government officials.

They are being written as high-level talks are underway to find a political settlement to end a war that has raged on for 18 years.

"I am writing with a hope that we have a better life in Kabul, we live amidst so much tension, I can do nothing to change the situation but I am still writing," wrote another person from the Afghan capital.

The Dard-e-Dil project aims to give ordinary people an outlet to express their feelings at a time when the peace talks among top officials dominate politics, even though the fighting has not subsided.

"The prevailing political uncertainty is clearly the most nerve-racking phase for Afghans, most of us are already battling depression and mental health issues," said artist Omaid Sharifi, who organised the project.

Sharifi's interest in expressing the feelings aroused by the conflict goes back to his work with ArtLords, an art collective he co-founded that has become famous for the dramatic murals it has painted on grim concrete blast walls around Kabul.

His team has installed special letterboxes outside cafes, educational centres, hospitals and government offices, encouraging people to try to deal with their anxieties and voice their opinions about the peace talks in letters.

The letters are sorted at the ArtLords studio with the aim of sending them on to government authorities, diplomats and the leaders of the insurgency.

More important, though, is the need to help people tell their stories, a basic requirement for mental health, said Sharifi, who struggled with anxiety for years.

"Everyone has a right to narrate their story. Some of these stories will highlight and reveal human rights abuses and some will offer hope and solidarity," he said.

'Silent war'

Afghanistan has been devastated by decades of war, stretching back to the conflict with the former Soviet Union from late 1979.

Violence, instability and poverty have touched virtually every family and many Afghans suffer from mental health problems. However, facilities for treating such illnesses are scarce.

Wahid Mayar, a spokesman for the public health ministry, estimated that about half of the population will experience mental stress during their lifetime, a consequence of war often overshadowed by daily struggles.

"The suffering of mental illness in Afghanistan is a silent war. If peace comes then we will have to accept the new normal, but currently we are in a phase of tremendous uncertainty," Mayar said.

"The prospect of peace brings hope and anxiety. We wonder can peace ever come to embrace us, to calm our minds," he said.

Accurate data on mental health is not available in Afghanistan but the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates more than a million Afghans suffer from depressive disorders and more than 1.2 million from anxiety disorders.

The WHO says the actual numbers are likely much higher.

Nobody expects the letter-writing campaign to heal the wounds of more than four decades of conflict but it may allow at least some people to start working through their fears and prepare for an uncertain future.

"There are times when I want to run away from my country and then I think I should wait for peace and plan my life here," wrote one person.

"Kabul is always the best place to be." 
&nbsp;

Hundreds of Afghans, weary of war and unsure of the future, have joined a letter-writing campaign to share their feelings with the powerful few who will decide on peace with the Taliban and, with it, the fate of their country.

Hundreds of Afghans, weary of war and unsure of the future, have joined a letter-writing campaign to share their feelings with the powerful few who will decide on peace with the Taliban and, with it, the fate of their country. The letters from different parts of Afghanistan express a tangled mix of confusion, resignation and fear. "I live in grief but I smile. People think I am brave but I have no choice," wrote one unidentified person. The letters, part of a project called Dard-e-Dil (a painful heart) are addressed to US diplomats, the Taliban and government officials. They are being written as high-level talks are underway to find a political settlement to end a war that has raged on for 18 years. "I am writing with a hope that we have a better life in Kabul, we live amidst so much tension, I can do nothing to change the situation but I am still writing," wrote another person from the Afghan capital. The Dard-e-Dil project aims to give ordinary people an outlet to express their feelings at a time when the peace talks among top officials dominate politics, even though the fighting has not subsided. "The prevailing political uncertainty is clearly the most nerve-racking phase for Afghans, most of us are already battling depression and mental health issues," said artist Omaid Sharifi, who organised the project. Sharifi's interest in expressing the feelings aroused by the conflict goes back to his work with ArtLords, an art collective he co-founded that has become famous for the dramatic murals it has painted on grim concrete blast walls around Kabul. His team has installed special letterboxes outside cafes, educational centres, hospitals and government offices, encouraging people to try to deal with their anxieties and voice their opinions about the peace talks in letters. The letters are sorted at the ArtLords studio with the aim of sending them on to government authorities, diplomats and the leaders of the insurgency. More important, though, is the need to help people tell their stories, a basic requirement for mental health, said Sharifi, who struggled with anxiety for years. "Everyone has a right to narrate their story. Some of these stories will highlight and reveal human rights abuses and some will offer hope and solidarity," he said. 'Silent war' Afghanistan has been devastated by decades of war, stretching back to the conflict with the former Soviet Union from late 1979. Violence, instability and poverty have touched virtually every family and many Afghans suffer from mental health problems. However, facilities for treating such illnesses are scarce. Wahid Mayar, a spokesman for the public health ministry, estimated that about half of the population will experience mental stress during their lifetime, a consequence of war often overshadowed by daily struggles. "The suffering of mental illness in Afghanistan is a silent war. If peace comes then we will have to accept the new normal, but currently we are in a phase of tremendous uncertainty," Mayar said. "The prospect of peace brings hope and anxiety. We wonder can peace ever come to embrace us, to calm our minds," he said. Accurate data on mental health is not available in Afghanistan but the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates more than a million Afghans suffer from depressive disorders and more than 1.2 million from anxiety disorders. The WHO says the actual numbers are likely much higher. Nobody expects the letter-writing campaign to heal the wounds of more than four decades of conflict but it may allow at least some people to start working through their fears and prepare for an uncertain future. "There are times when I want to run away from my country and then I think I should wait for peace and plan my life here," wrote one person. "Kabul is always the best place to be."

Letterbox campaign helps Afghans cope with silent war of mental health

The United States peace envoy will travel to Afghanistan next week and then Qatar to resume negotiations with the Taliban and iron out a deal that could end nearly 18 years of military intervention, the State Department said Monday.

Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad will leave next Monday for the mission lasting through August 1 "as part of an overall effort to facilitate a peace process that ends the conflict in Afghanistan," the State Department said in a statement.

In the capital Kabul, he will discuss with the Afghan government the "next steps in the peace process, including identifying a national negotiating team that can participate in intra-Afghan negotiations," the statement added.&nbsp;

Forming such a team is a fraught issue, as the Taliban refuse to negotiate directly with the Afghan government.

He will then travel to Doha, where "he will resume talks with the Taliban," the State Department said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/could-win-afghanistan-war-in-a-week-or-ten-days-but-chose-not-to-do-so-says-donald-trump-in-meeting-with-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-237798">Washington is hoping for a political agreement</a> with the insurgents ahead of the Afghan presidential election scheduled for late September.

A breakthrough could pave the way for a withdrawal of international troops some 18 years after the 9/11 attacks, which led the US to launch a massive offensive to dislodge the Taliban government from Kabul.

The US negotiator has had several meetings with the Taliban in the past year, the most recent being on July 9 in Doha.

Earlier, the Taliban and other senior Afghan officials held intra-Afghan talks in the Qatari capital, pledging to deliver a "road map for peace" in Afghanistan.

The United States peace envoy will travel to Afghanistan next week and then Qatar to resume negotiations with the Taliban and iron out a deal that could end nearly 18 years of military intervention, the State Department said Monday.

The United States peace envoy will travel to Afghanistan next week and then Qatar to resume negotiations with the Taliban and iron out a deal that could end nearly 18 years of military intervention, the State Department said Monday. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad will leave next Monday for the mission lasting through August 1 "as part of an overall effort to facilitate a peace process that ends the conflict in Afghanistan," the State Department said in a statement. In the capital Kabul, he will discuss with the Afghan government the "next steps in the peace process, including identifying a national negotiating team that can participate in intra-Afghan negotiations," the statement added. Forming such a team is a fraught issue, as the Taliban refuse to negotiate directly with the Afghan government. He will then travel to Doha, where "he will resume talks with the Taliban," the State Department said. Washington is hoping for a political agreement with the insurgents ahead of the Afghan presidential election scheduled for late September. A breakthrough could pave the way for a withdrawal of international troops some 18 years after the 9/11 attacks, which led the US to launch a massive offensive to dislodge the Taliban government from Kabul. The US negotiator has had several meetings with the Taliban in the past year, the most recent being on July 9 in Doha. Earlier, the Taliban and other senior Afghan officials held intra-Afghan talks in the Qatari capital, pledging to deliver a "road map for peace" in Afghanistan.

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad to return to Afghanistan, Qatar for negotiations

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-trump-offers-to-mediate-on-kashmir-issue-during-meeting-with-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-report-237780">Donald Trump</a> on Monday said that he could win Afghanistan war in "a week or ten days" but he doesn't want to "wipe" Afghanistan off the face of the earth.&nbsp;

"We have been there (Afghanistan) for 19 years, and we've acted as policemen, not soldiers and again if we wanted to be soldiers it would be over in 10 days -- one week to 10 days if we wanted to. But I have not chosen that," Trump said at the Oval office while hosting Pakistan Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/working-with-pakistan-to-find-way-out-of-war-in-afghanistan-trump-on-meeting-with-pm-imran-khan-at-white-house-237765">Imran Khan </a>who is in a three-day visit to the US. &nbsp;

During the discussion on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-has-no-military-solution-says-pakistan-prime-minister-imran-khan-in-us-diaspora-address-237567">Afghanistan peace process</a> with Khan, Trump warned that "Afghanistan would be wiped off the face of the Earth."

"Why would we kill millions of people. It wouldn't be fair in terms of humanity, it wouldn't be fair. So we're doing very well and I think that Pakistan is going to be a big help," Trump added.

"There is only one solution, and I feel, and I think that we will discuss this, is the closest we have been to a peace deal. And we hope that in the coming days we will be able to urge the Taliban to speak to the Afghan government and come to a settlement -- a political solution," Trump also said.

Trump on Monday hosted Imran Khan, who is on his first official visit to Washington seeking to revive a fractured relationship, at the Oval office.

Watch: Analysing the Afghanistan peace talks

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This is the first official meeting between the two leaders as Pakistan seeks to leverage support from the Trump administration on steps taken on containing terrorism, a point of contention with the US president often tweeting on Pakistan's support to terror elements on its soil.

During the meeting Khan-Trump meeting, the US President hailed Pakistan's help in advancing peace talks in Afghanistan, in a marked shift tone as the US seeks an accord with the Taliban to end the long-running war.

Pakistan was the Taliban's chief sponsor when it took power in neighbouring Afghanistan during the 1990s.&nbsp;

Its influence over the group, which has waged an insurgency since it was ousted from power by US-led forces in 2001, is seen as key in facilitating a political settlement with the government of President Ashraf Ghani.

The United States is pressing for a political agreement with the Taliban before presidential voting in Afghanistan in late September. This would clear the way for most US troops to withdraw from Afghanistan and bring an end to America's longest war.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said that he could win Afghanistan war in "a week or ten days" but he doesn't want to "wipe" Afghanistan off the face of the earth.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said that he could win Afghanistan war in "a week or ten days" but he doesn't want to "wipe" Afghanistan off the face of the earth. "We have been there (Afghanistan) for 19 years, and we've acted as policemen, not soldiers and again if we wanted to be soldiers it would be over in 10 days -- one week to 10 days if we wanted to. But I have not chosen that," Trump said at the Oval office while hosting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who is in a three-day visit to the US. During the discussion on Afghanistan peace process with Khan, Trump warned that "Afghanistan would be wiped off the face of the Earth." "Why would we kill millions of people. It wouldn't be fair in terms of humanity, it wouldn't be fair. So we're doing very well and I think that Pakistan is going to be a big help," Trump added. "There is only one solution, and I feel, and I think that we will discuss this, is the closest we have been to a peace deal. And we hope that in the coming days we will be able to urge the Taliban to speak to the Afghan government and come to a settlement -- a political solution," Trump also said. Trump on Monday hosted Imran Khan, who is on his first official visit to Washington seeking to revive a fractured relationship, at the Oval office. Watch: Analysing the Afghanistan peace talks × This is the first official meeting between the two leaders as Pakistan seeks to leverage support from the Trump administration on steps taken on containing terrorism, a point of contention with the US president often tweeting on Pakistan's support to terror elements on its soil. During the meeting Khan-Trump meeting, the US President hailed Pakistan's help in advancing peace talks in Afghanistan, in a marked shift tone as the US seeks an accord with the Taliban to end the long-running war. Pakistan was the Taliban's chief sponsor when it took power in neighbouring Afghanistan during the 1990s. Its influence over the group, which has waged an insurgency since it was ousted from power by US-led forces in 2001, is seen as key in facilitating a political settlement with the government of President Ashraf Ghani. The United States is pressing for a political agreement with the Taliban before presidential voting in Afghanistan in late September. This would clear the way for most US troops to withdraw from Afghanistan and bring an end to America's longest war.

Could win Afghanistan war in 'a week or ten days' but chose not to do so, says Donald Trump in meeting with Pakistan PM Imran Khan

Afghanistan's government called on Tuesday for clarification of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/could-win-afghanistan-war-in-a-week-or-ten-days-but-chose-not-to-do-so-says-donald-trump-in-meeting-with-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-237798">US President Donald Trump's remarks</a> that he could win the Afghan war in just 10 days by "wiping out Afghanistan from the face of the earth", the presidential palace in Kabul said.

Trump's remarks followed a meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan at the White House on Monday. He voiced optimism that Pakistan could help broker a political settlement to end the nearly 18-year-old war in Afghanistan.

"The Afghan nation has not and will never allow any foreign power to determine its fate," Afghanistan's presidential palace said in a statement.

On Monday, Trump said that he could win Afghanistan war in "a week or ten days" but he doesn't want to "wipe" Afghanistan off the face of the earth.&nbsp;

"We have been there (Afghanistan) for 19 years, and we've acted as policemen, not soldiers and again if we wanted to be soldiers it would be over in 10 days -- one week to 10 days if we wanted to. But I have not chosen that," Trump said at the Oval office while hosting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who is in a three-day visit to the US. &nbsp;

During the discussion on Afghanistan peace process with Khan, Trump warned that "Afghanistan would be wiped off the face of the Earth."

"Why would we kill millions of people. It wouldn't be fair in terms of humanity, it wouldn't be fair. So we're doing very well and I think that Pakistan is going to be a big help," Trump added.

"There is only one solution, and I feel, and I think that we will discuss this, is the closest we have been to a peace deal. And we hope that in the coming days we will be able to urge the Taliban to speak to the Afghan government and come to a settlement -- a political solution," Trump also said.

The United States is pressing for a political agreement with the Taliban before presidential voting in Afghanistan in late September. This would clear the way for most US troops to withdraw from Afghanistan and bring an end to America's longest war. 
&nbsp;

Afghanistan's government called on Tuesday for clarification of US President Donald Trump's remarks that he could win the Afghan war in just 10 days by "wiping out Afghanistan from the face of the earth", the presidential palace in Kabul said.

Afghanistan's government called on Tuesday for clarification of US President Donald Trump's remarks that he could win the Afghan war in just 10 days by "wiping out Afghanistan from the face of the earth", the presidential palace in Kabul said. Trump's remarks followed a meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan at the White House on Monday. He voiced optimism that Pakistan could help broker a political settlement to end the nearly 18-year-old war in Afghanistan. "The Afghan nation has not and will never allow any foreign power to determine its fate," Afghanistan's presidential palace said in a statement. On Monday, Trump said that he could win Afghanistan war in "a week or ten days" but he doesn't want to "wipe" Afghanistan off the face of the earth. "We have been there (Afghanistan) for 19 years, and we've acted as policemen, not soldiers and again if we wanted to be soldiers it would be over in 10 days -- one week to 10 days if we wanted to. But I have not chosen that," Trump said at the Oval office while hosting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who is in a three-day visit to the US. During the discussion on Afghanistan peace process with Khan, Trump warned that "Afghanistan would be wiped off the face of the Earth." "Why would we kill millions of people. It wouldn't be fair in terms of humanity, it wouldn't be fair. So we're doing very well and I think that Pakistan is going to be a big help," Trump added. "There is only one solution, and I feel, and I think that we will discuss this, is the closest we have been to a peace deal. And we hope that in the coming days we will be able to urge the Taliban to speak to the Afghan government and come to a settlement -- a political solution," Trump also said. The United States is pressing for a political agreement with the Taliban before presidential voting in Afghanistan in late September. This would clear the way for most US troops to withdraw from Afghanistan and bring an end to America's longest war.

Afghan government seeks clarification of Donald Trump's remarks on 'wiping out Afghanistan'

Ahead of his meeting with Donald Trump, Pakistan Prime Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/baloch-activists-disrupt-pakistan-prime-minister-imran-khans-speech-in-us-237564"> Imran Khan </a>on Sunday asserted that there is no military solution to Afghanistan and said that he will put the same thought in front of the US President.

"I was called Taliban Khan. But Allah is Al-Haq. The whole world says what I used to say years ago; there is no military solution to Afghanistan. I will put forth the same case in front of Donald Trump tomorrow!," said Khan, while addressing the largest<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ahead-of-much-awaited-trump-khan-meeting-row-erupts-on-washingtons-welcome-accorded-to-pakistan-pm-237520"> mass gathering to Pakistan</a> diaspora here.

Imran Khan received the title of 'Taliban Khan'&nbsp;because of his relentless defence of the Taliban. Khan is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House tomorrow.

He will be accompanied by Pakistan Army chief and Lieutenant General Hameed.

Afghanistan is marred by insurgency for two decades. In a bid to attain peace in the war-ravaged nation, US-led Afghanistan 'peace process'&nbsp;was initiated.

Pakistan has been the latest nation to be inducted into Afghanistan 'peace process'&nbsp;The Gulf News reported that 30,000 Pakistanis in the US gathered to welcome Khan in Capital One Arena stadium, which has a capacity of 20,000 people.

It was Imran Khan's first mass address to the US Pakistani community.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan desires peace and stability in the region and claimed that Pakistan has been able to curb the menace of terrorism.

"Pakistan has successfully curbed the menace of terrorism and held peaceful elections in erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA). This is the beginning of development and prosperity," Qureshi said.

"Pakistan will continue to support the Afghan peace process for regional stability."

Imran Khan also praised China for its merit-based system.

"You go anywhere in the world, see China's communist party and you see how they reward merit and let the best of the best come up. The beauty of democracy is merit," he said.&nbsp;

Ahead of his meeting with Donald Trump, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday asserted that there is no military solution to Afghanistan and said that he will put the same thought in front of the US President.

Ahead of his meeting with Donald Trump, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday asserted that there is no military solution to Afghanistan and said that he will put the same thought in front of the US President. "I was called Taliban Khan. But Allah is Al-Haq. The whole world says what I used to say years ago; there is no military solution to Afghanistan. I will put forth the same case in front of Donald Trump tomorrow!," said Khan, while addressing the largest mass gathering to Pakistan diaspora here. Imran Khan received the title of 'Taliban Khan' because of his relentless defence of the Taliban. Khan is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House tomorrow. He will be accompanied by Pakistan Army chief and Lieutenant General Hameed. Afghanistan is marred by insurgency for two decades. In a bid to attain peace in the war-ravaged nation, US-led Afghanistan 'peace process' was initiated. Pakistan has been the latest nation to be inducted into Afghanistan 'peace process' The Gulf News reported that 30,000 Pakistanis in the US gathered to welcome Khan in Capital One Arena stadium, which has a capacity of 20,000 people. It was Imran Khan's first mass address to the US Pakistani community. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan desires peace and stability in the region and claimed that Pakistan has been able to curb the menace of terrorism. "Pakistan has successfully curbed the menace of terrorism and held peaceful elections in erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA). This is the beginning of development and prosperity," Qureshi said. "Pakistan will continue to support the Afghan peace process for regional stability." Imran Khan also praised China for its merit-based system. "You go anywhere in the world, see China's communist party and you see how they reward merit and let the best of the best come up. The beauty of democracy is merit," he said.

Afghanistan has no military solution, says Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in US diaspora address

An explosion struck Afghan University in Kabul killing at least six while twenty-seven others were injured, news agency Reuters reported.

Twenty-seven&nbsp;others were also injured in the explosion, news agency Reuters reported.

The explosion occurred outside an entrance of Kabul University while a number of students were waiting to attend their exam.

Two vehicles also caught fire, a report by Tolonews said.

Kabul Police said in a statement that the explosion was due to a magnetic IED placed in the area.&nbsp;

A police team defused a second bomb placed near the explosion site, Kabul police spokesman Faramarz Firdaws said.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-12-dead-in-taliban-attack-on-afghan-police-headquarters-236974">Years of conflict have left Afghanistan </a>strewn with landmines, unexploded mortars, rockets and homemade bombs -- and many are picked up by curious children.

According to the United Nations, almost 4,000 civilians -- including more than 900 children -- were killed in Afghanistan last year, with another 7,000 wounded, making it the deadliest year to date for civilians in Afghanistan's conflict.

The Taliban and a group of Afghans met for a historic summit in the Qatari capital Doha last week, as part of US-led peace talks, where they pledged to reduce civilian casualties to "zero".

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

An explosion struck Afghan University in Kabul killing at least six while twenty-seven others were injured, news agency Reuters reported. Twenty-seven others were also injured in the explosion, news agency Reuters reported.

An explosion struck Afghan University in Kabul killing at least six while twenty-seven others were injured, news agency Reuters reported. Twenty-seven others were also injured in the explosion, news agency Reuters reported. The explosion occurred outside an entrance of Kabul University while a number of students were waiting to attend their exam. Two vehicles also caught fire, a report by Tolonews said. Kabul Police said in a statement that the explosion was due to a magnetic IED placed in the area. A police team defused a second bomb placed near the explosion site, Kabul police spokesman Faramarz Firdaws said. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Years of conflict have left Afghanistan strewn with landmines, unexploded mortars, rockets and homemade bombs -- and many are picked up by curious children. According to the United Nations, almost 4,000 civilians -- including more than 900 children -- were killed in Afghanistan last year, with another 7,000 wounded, making it the deadliest year to date for civilians in Afghanistan's conflict. The Taliban and a group of Afghans met for a historic summit in the Qatari capital Doha last week, as part of US-led peace talks, where they pledged to reduce civilian casualties to "zero". (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan: Six killed, 27 injured in blast near Kabul University

A US service member was killed in action in Afghanistan on Saturday, NATO said, the latest international casualty that comes as the US tries to forge a peace deal with the Taliban.

It is the 10th member of the US military to be killed this year, compared to 12 in all of 2018.

"The name of the service member killed in action is being withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete," Resolute Support, the US-led NATO mission in Afghanistan, said in a statement.

NATO did not provide any additional details about what happened, and no insurgent group immediately claimed responsibility.

Two US troops were killed last month in an attack claimed by the Taliban, and the US and Afghan forces continue to conduct daily operations against the insurgents.

The US now has some 14,000 troops in Afghanistan -- down from a peak of around 100,000 -- most of them deployed to train and advise Afghan counterparts.

In the nearly 18 years since the US-led invasion to oust the Taliban in late 2001, nearly 2,300 American soldiers have died and more than 20,400 have been wounded.

President Donald Trump has said he wants America out of Afghanistan as soon as possible and his special envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, is pushing for a peace deal that would see international forces pull out in return for various guarantees.&nbsp;

A US service member was killed in action in Afghanistan on Saturday, NATO said, the latest international casualty that comes as the US tries to forge a peace deal with the Taliban.

A US service member was killed in action in Afghanistan on Saturday, NATO said, the latest international casualty that comes as the US tries to forge a peace deal with the Taliban. It is the 10th member of the US military to be killed this year, compared to 12 in all of 2018. "The name of the service member killed in action is being withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete," Resolute Support, the US-led NATO mission in Afghanistan, said in a statement. NATO did not provide any additional details about what happened, and no insurgent group immediately claimed responsibility. Two US troops were killed last month in an attack claimed by the Taliban, and the US and Afghan forces continue to conduct daily operations against the insurgents. The US now has some 14,000 troops in Afghanistan -- down from a peak of around 100,000 -- most of them deployed to train and advise Afghan counterparts. In the nearly 18 years since the US-led invasion to oust the Taliban in late 2001, nearly 2,300 American soldiers have died and more than 20,400 have been wounded. President Donald Trump has said he wants America out of Afghanistan as soon as possible and his special envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, is pushing for a peace deal that would see international forces pull out in return for various guarantees.

US soldier killed in Afghanistan: NATO

At least five people were killed and many more wounded Friday when a suicide bomber attacked a wedding ceremony in eastern Afghanistan, an official told AFP.

The Taliban, who have pledged to try to reduce civilian casualties, denied responsibility for the blast in Nangarhar province.&nbsp;

The area close to the Pakistan border is home to other insurgent organisations including the Islamic State group, who have carried out previous attacks.

"This morning at 8:00 am (0330 GMT), a suicide bomber detonated himself at a wedding ceremony...in Pachiragam district", Attaullah Khogyani, the Nangarhar governor's spokesman, told AFP.

"As a result, five killed, more than 40 wounded."

Hazrat Khan Khaksar, the Pachiragam district governor, put the toll at 14 killed and 14 wounded but he cautioned the figures might change.

Zahir Adil, the Nangarhar regional hospital spokesman, told AFP that two bodies and 11 wounded victims had been taken to the hospital in central Nangarhar city.

The explosion comes just days after historic talks between Afghan representatives and the Taliban wrapped up as part of a US-led effort to end the war.

At the conclusion of the two-day summit in Doha, parties unveiled a joint resolution pledging a "roadmap for peace" in which they sought to reduce civilian casualties to "zero".

Direct talks between US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban also took place last week.

 
&nbsp;

At least five people were killed and many more wounded Friday when a suicide bomber attacked a wedding ceremony in eastern Afghanistan, an official told AFP. The Taliban, who have pledged to try to reduce civilian casualties, denied responsibility for the blast in Nangarhar province.

At least five people were killed and many more wounded Friday when a suicide bomber attacked a wedding ceremony in eastern Afghanistan, an official told AFP. The Taliban, who have pledged to try to reduce civilian casualties, denied responsibility for the blast in Nangarhar province. The area close to the Pakistan border is home to other insurgent organisations including the Islamic State group, who have carried out previous attacks. "This morning at 8:00 am (0330 GMT), a suicide bomber detonated himself at a wedding ceremony...in Pachiragam district", Attaullah Khogyani, the Nangarhar governor's spokesman, told AFP. "As a result, five killed, more than 40 wounded." Hazrat Khan Khaksar, the Pachiragam district governor, put the toll at 14 killed and 14 wounded but he cautioned the figures might change. Zahir Adil, the Nangarhar regional hospital spokesman, told AFP that two bodies and 11 wounded victims had been taken to the hospital in central Nangarhar city. The explosion comes just days after historic talks between Afghan representatives and the Taliban wrapped up as part of a US-led effort to end the war. At the conclusion of the two-day summit in Doha, parties unveiled a joint resolution pledging a "roadmap for peace" in which they sought to reduce civilian casualties to "zero". Direct talks between US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban also took place last week.

At least five dead in suicide blast at Afghan wedding

Afghan War: No End In Sight After 18 Years As U.S. & Taliban Conduct Talks Amid Attacks. There seems to be no end in sight for the Afghan war which began 18 years ago. U.S. and Taliban are engaged in talks even as violent attacks continue to be the new norm in the war-torn country. Here's the report

Gravitas: Who can end the Afghan crisis?

An Afghan delegation is in Qatar for peace talks with Taliban leaders, with the hopes of ending the 18-year-long conflict in Afghanistan.

The United States has now realised that talking to the Afghan Taliban is the only solution. The same Taliban against whom they have been engaged in a battle for over 18 years.

The war which has left thousands dead and scores injured has been the common suffering for the people of Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban as per reports, control&nbsp;55% of the Afghan territory.

The United States in a bid for a negotiated settlement has been engaging in rounds of dialogue since September 2018 with the Taliban. The talks that have been facilitated by Pakistan and Qatar are happening at the Taliban’s political office in Doha seems to have had significant headway.&nbsp;

Although in the same talks, the Taliban are adamant that they would not be talking to the Afghan government sighting reasons that they are an illegitimate and imposed regime.

As the US sat down in Doha for the seventh round of talks from June 29, 2019, the Taliban despite the ongoing talks did not stop with their offence.

Two days into the talks at Doha, on July 1 the Taliban struck in the heart of Kabul as what they call, the target was the ministry of Defence, a huge blast followed by 5 gunmen storming into the building. The intensity of the blast so huge, that its shockwaves were felt in about 6 kilometres radius.&nbsp;

The school next to the ministry of defence suffered greater damage, mostly school children were injured. Blood soaked pictures of school children made rounds on social media, forty-five people were killed, one hundred and sixteen wounded. The Taliban claimed it, the US condemned it – All this while the two continued to talk in Doha on Afghan peace.

But that was not the end, a week later the Taliban struck again. On July 7 2019, this time in the province of Ghazni. The Taliban claim they targeted an NDS facility, for yet another time another school adjacent suffered damage. Fourteen people were killed, this included 6 civilians. A senior Taliban official while speaking to WION said that “they try their level best to strike at persistence however these facilities have been tactically made among general public places. We try to keep the civilian death toll as minimal as it could be”.

As the two major stakeholders of Afghanistan continue to engage in a negotiated settlement, the people of Afghanistan continue to suffer. The Taliban refuse to bow down or give up their spring offensive resulting in mass number of civilian casualties, something that the Taliban denied. What needs to be seen is that the fresh round of talks in Doha, would that be fruitful in ending the sufferings of Afghans or would they continue.

An Afghan delegation is in Qatar for peace talks with Taliban leaders, with the hopes of ending the 18-year-long conflict in Afghanistan. The United States has now realised that talking to the Afghan Taliban is the only solution.

An Afghan delegation is in Qatar for peace talks with Taliban leaders, with the hopes of ending the 18-year-long conflict in Afghanistan. The United States has now realised that talking to the Afghan Taliban is the only solution. The same Taliban against whom they have been engaged in a battle for over 18 years. The war which has left thousands dead and scores injured has been the common suffering for the people of Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban as per reports, control 55% of the Afghan territory. The United States in a bid for a negotiated settlement has been engaging in rounds of dialogue since September 2018 with the Taliban. The talks that have been facilitated by Pakistan and Qatar are happening at the Taliban’s political office in Doha seems to have had significant headway. Although in the same talks, the Taliban are adamant that they would not be talking to the Afghan government sighting reasons that they are an illegitimate and imposed regime. As the US sat down in Doha for the seventh round of talks from June 29, 2019, the Taliban despite the ongoing talks did not stop with their offence. Two days into the talks at Doha, on July 1 the Taliban struck in the heart of Kabul as what they call, the target was the ministry of Defence, a huge blast followed by 5 gunmen storming into the building. The intensity of the blast so huge, that its shockwaves were felt in about 6 kilometres radius. The school next to the ministry of defence suffered greater damage, mostly school children were injured. Blood soaked pictures of school children made rounds on social media, forty-five people were killed, one hundred and sixteen wounded. The Taliban claimed it, the US condemned it – All this while the two continued to talk in Doha on Afghan peace. But that was not the end, a week later the Taliban struck again. On July 7 2019, this time in the province of Ghazni. The Taliban claim they targeted an NDS facility, for yet another time another school adjacent suffered damage. Fourteen people were killed, this included 6 civilians. A senior Taliban official while speaking to WION said that “they try their level best to strike at persistence however these facilities have been tactically made among general public places. We try to keep the civilian death toll as minimal as it could be”. As the two major stakeholders of Afghanistan continue to engage in a negotiated settlement, the people of Afghanistan continue to suffer. The Taliban refuse to bow down or give up their spring offensive resulting in mass number of civilian casualties, something that the Taliban denied. What needs to be seen is that the fresh round of talks in Doha, would that be fruitful in ending the sufferings of Afghans or would they continue.

Afghanistan war: 18 years later, no end in sight; US-Taliban talks amid more attacks

The United States President Donald Trump on Monday said he will leave a strong intelligence presence in Afghanistan even after US troops depart from the country. He also termed the country "Harvard of terrorists" while he was speaking in a video interview.

"We will be leaving very strong intelligence, far more than you would normally think," Trump said in an interview with Fox News.

"It just seems to be a lab for terrorists... I call it the Harvard of terrorists," he said.

"I've wanted to pull them out," Trump said of US troops who have been fighting in the country since 2001.

But he said he hesitates due what he described as advice from the military that it is preferable to fight terrorists there than at home -- echoing an argument advanced by George W&nbsp;Bush's administration.

Trump's comments come with rival Afghans set to start meeting in Qatar on Sunday in a fresh attempt to make political headway as the United States seeks a peace deal with the Taliban within three months.

After Syria, Donald Trump in December last year announced to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Following Trump's announcement, Pentagon had also announced the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-to-withdraw-significant-number-of-troops-from-afghanistan-official-185569"> withdrawal of around 7,000 troops from Afghanistan</a> which amounts to the removal of half of the total US forces deployed in the country at present. So far no timeline has been fixed&nbsp;

About 20,000 foreign troops, most of them American, are in Afghanistan as part of a US-led NATO mission to train, assist and advise Afghan forces. Some US forces carry out counter-terrorism operations.

Watch: Why is Afghanistan a fertile ground for ISIS?

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At least 3,804 civilians were killed in the war last year, according to the United Nations. Thousands of Afghan soldiers, police and Taliban were also killed.

(With inputs from news agencies)

The United States President Donald Trump on Monday said he will leave a strong intelligence presence in Afghanistan even after US troops depart from the country.

The United States President Donald Trump on Monday said he will leave a strong intelligence presence in Afghanistan even after US troops depart from the country. He also termed the country "Harvard of terrorists" while he was speaking in a video interview. "We will be leaving very strong intelligence, far more than you would normally think," Trump said in an interview with Fox News. "It just seems to be a lab for terrorists... I call it the Harvard of terrorists," he said. "I've wanted to pull them out," Trump said of US troops who have been fighting in the country since 2001. But he said he hesitates due what he described as advice from the military that it is preferable to fight terrorists there than at home -- echoing an argument advanced by George W Bush's administration. Trump's comments come with rival Afghans set to start meeting in Qatar on Sunday in a fresh attempt to make political headway as the United States seeks a peace deal with the Taliban within three months. After Syria, Donald Trump in December last year announced to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. Following Trump's announcement, Pentagon had also announced the withdrawal of around 7,000 troops from Afghanistan which amounts to the removal of half of the total US forces deployed in the country at present. So far no timeline has been fixed About 20,000 foreign troops, most of them American, are in Afghanistan as part of a US-led NATO mission to train, assist and advise Afghan forces. Some US forces carry out counter-terrorism operations. Watch: Why is Afghanistan a fertile ground for ISIS? × At least 3,804 civilians were killed in the war last year, according to the United Nations. Thousands of Afghan soldiers, police and Taliban were also killed. (With inputs from news agencies)

US will keep strong intel presence in Afghanistan even after troops withdrawal: Trump

Two US service members were killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday, NATO said, the latest international casualties as the US and the Taliban prepare for a new round of talks.&nbsp;

NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan gave no further details, but the deaths came less than 24 hours after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an unannounced visit to Kabul and said he hopes for a peace deal with the Taliban "before September 1".&nbsp;

"In accordance with US Department of Defence policy, the names of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete," NATO said in a statement.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the incident, but previous attacks on US-led NATO forces have been claimed by the Taliban.

The blast brings to nine the number of US service members killed in Afghanistan so far this year, compared to 12 killed in all of 2018.

In his visit with President Ashraf Ghani, Pompeo said peace was Washington's "highest priority". Last September the US began a fresh push to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table to end America's longest war.

The next round of talks between the Taliban and the US are set to begin on June 29 in Doha.

The talks have centred on four issues: counter-terrorism, the foreign troop presence, an intra-Afghan dialogue, and a permanent ceasefire.

The US now has some 14,000 troops in Afghanistan -- down from a peak of around 100,000 -- most of them deployed to train and advise Afghan counterparts.

Nearly 2,300 American soldiers have died and more than 20,400 have been wounded in the country since a US-led coalition ousted the Taliban in 2001.

Two US service members were killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday, NATO said, the latest international casualties as the US and the Taliban prepare for a new round of talks.

Two US service members were killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday, NATO said, the latest international casualties as the US and the Taliban prepare for a new round of talks. NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan gave no further details, but the deaths came less than 24 hours after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an unannounced visit to Kabul and said he hopes for a peace deal with the Taliban "before September 1". "In accordance with US Department of Defence policy, the names of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete," NATO said in a statement. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the incident, but previous attacks on US-led NATO forces have been claimed by the Taliban. The blast brings to nine the number of US service members killed in Afghanistan so far this year, compared to 12 killed in all of 2018. In his visit with President Ashraf Ghani, Pompeo said peace was Washington's "highest priority". Last September the US began a fresh push to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table to end America's longest war. The next round of talks between the Taliban and the US are set to begin on June 29 in Doha. The talks have centred on four issues: counter-terrorism, the foreign troop presence, an intra-Afghan dialogue, and a permanent ceasefire. The US now has some 14,000 troops in Afghanistan -- down from a peak of around 100,000 -- most of them deployed to train and advise Afghan counterparts. Nearly 2,300 American soldiers have died and more than 20,400 have been wounded in the country since a US-led coalition ousted the Taliban in 2001.

Two US soldiers killed in Afghanistan: NATO

Afghanistan`s former Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar on Sunday lauded Pakistan's role in the Afghan peace process, during a visit to the country for a conference.

"Pakistan is a very important country and Islamabad could play a key role in bringing peace in Afghanistan and now they are doing it," the former Prime Minister told Anadolu Agency in Bhurban.&nbsp;

He also appreciated Pakistan`s role in "bringing Taliban to the negotiating table," the Turkish state-run news agency reported."I praised Pakistan`s sincere efforts and I am sure they will continue its help to bring peace in our country," Hekmatyar said.

The 71-year-old leader was received by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi upon his arrival to the country on Saturday.&nbsp;

57 other Afghan leaders accompanied Hekmatyar during his visit for a peace conference."We welcome every country and individual who is taking any step for peace in Afghanistan. War always ends with peace and now the war in our country will also end with peace," he added.&nbsp;

He also demanded the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, outlining that the Afghan people need to "decide their future."

Afghanistan`s former Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar on Sunday lauded Pakistan's role in the Afghan peace process, during a visit to the country for a conference.

Afghanistan`s former Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar on Sunday lauded Pakistan's role in the Afghan peace process, during a visit to the country for a conference. "Pakistan is a very important country and Islamabad could play a key role in bringing peace in Afghanistan and now they are doing it," the former Prime Minister told Anadolu Agency in Bhurban. He also appreciated Pakistan`s role in "bringing Taliban to the negotiating table," the Turkish state-run news agency reported."I praised Pakistan`s sincere efforts and I am sure they will continue its help to bring peace in our country," Hekmatyar said. The 71-year-old leader was received by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi upon his arrival to the country on Saturday. 57 other Afghan leaders accompanied Hekmatyar during his visit for a peace conference."We welcome every country and individual who is taking any step for peace in Afghanistan. War always ends with peace and now the war in our country will also end with peace," he added. He also demanded the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, outlining that the Afghan people need to "decide their future."

Former Afghan Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar praises Pakistan's role in peace process

The United States and the Taliban will open fresh negotiations next week, the US negotiator said Saturday, as he voiced hope for progress in ending America's longest war.

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special representative on Afghanistan, said the two sides would start their seventh round of talks on June 29.

"Based on my recent visits to Afghanistan and Qatar, I believe all sides want rapid progress," Khalilzad wrote on Twitter.

The State Department, announcing Khalilzad's travel before the date of the latest talks were set, said the negotiations with the Taliban would take place as usual in Qatar.

Khalilzad is hoping to negotiate a deal under which the United States would withdraw troops first sent after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

In turn, the Taliban would guarantee that Afghanistan would not be used as a staging ground by Islamist extremists such as Al-Qaeda -- the main reason for the US invasion nearly two decades earlier.

The Taliban have refused the US appeals to end the violence to improve the atmosphere of talks, instead of pressing on with their insurgency.

Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada in a message for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr earlier this month said that the Taliban's "resistance against the occupation is nearing the stage of success."

In another key sticking point, the Taliban have not negotiated with the internationally recognized government in Kabul, although a UN official recently confirmed that Germany and Qatar were working to organize an inter-Afghan meeting.

President Donald Trump has voiced impatience with the war, believing there is no further reason to bear the cost in money or lives.

The United States and the Taliban will open fresh negotiations next week, the US negotiator said Saturday, as he voiced hope for progress in ending America's longest war.

The United States and the Taliban will open fresh negotiations next week, the US negotiator said Saturday, as he voiced hope for progress in ending America's longest war. Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special representative on Afghanistan, said the two sides would start their seventh round of talks on June 29. "Based on my recent visits to Afghanistan and Qatar, I believe all sides want rapid progress," Khalilzad wrote on Twitter. The State Department, announcing Khalilzad's travel before the date of the latest talks were set, said the negotiations with the Taliban would take place as usual in Qatar. Khalilzad is hoping to negotiate a deal under which the United States would withdraw troops first sent after the September 11, 2001 attacks. In turn, the Taliban would guarantee that Afghanistan would not be used as a staging ground by Islamist extremists such as Al-Qaeda -- the main reason for the US invasion nearly two decades earlier. The Taliban have refused the US appeals to end the violence to improve the atmosphere of talks, instead of pressing on with their insurgency. Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada in a message for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr earlier this month said that the Taliban's "resistance against the occupation is nearing the stage of success." In another key sticking point, the Taliban have not negotiated with the internationally recognized government in Kabul, although a UN official recently confirmed that Germany and Qatar were working to organize an inter-Afghan meeting. President Donald Trump has voiced impatience with the war, believing there is no further reason to bear the cost in money or lives.

Afghanistan: US, Taliban to hold more talks on ending war

Britain on Monday announced a new 170 million-pound ($215 million) five-year aid package of urgent food, water and medicine assistance for people in Afghanistan.

"The humanitarian need in Afghanistan is severe," International Development Secretary Rory Stewart said after meeting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in London.

"Fighting and extreme drought have left millions of people hungry and desperately seeking medical help, which is why UK aid is responding with life-saving food, water and basic healthcare, including polio vaccinations."

An estimated 13.5 million Afghans need humanitarian aid to ensure there is enough food for themselves and their families, Britain's development ministry said.

Britain on Monday announced a new 170 million-pound ($215 million) five-year aid package of urgent food, water and medicine assistance for people in Afghanistan.

Britain on Monday announced a new 170 million-pound ($215 million) five-year aid package of urgent food, water and medicine assistance for people in Afghanistan. "The humanitarian need in Afghanistan is severe," International Development Secretary Rory Stewart said after meeting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in London. "Fighting and extreme drought have left millions of people hungry and desperately seeking medical help, which is why UK aid is responding with life-saving food, water and basic healthcare, including polio vaccinations." An estimated 13.5 million Afghans need humanitarian aid to ensure there is enough food for themselves and their families, Britain's development ministry said.

UK announces $215 million food, water and medical help for Afghanistan

At least 38 militants affiliated to the Taliban have been released from jail in Afghanistan`s Herat province, officials said on Monday.

 
The inmates were among the 900 Taliban detainees lodged in various government jails, the provincial governor`s spokesman Jailani Farhad was cited as saying by Xinhua news agency.

Afghanistan`s President Ashraf Ghani announced the release of 900 Taliban detainees last week as a "good gesture" to encourage Taliban militants to hold a dialogue with the government to find a negotiated settlement to the country`s lingering crisis.

The Taliban, who have refused to hold direct talks with the government, was yet to react to the government`s decision.

At least 38 militants affiliated to the Taliban have been released from jail in Afghanistan`s Herat province, officials said on Monday. The inmates were among the 900 Taliban detainees lodged in various government jails, the provincial governor`s spokesman Jailani Farhad was cited as saying by Xinhua news agency.

At least 38 militants affiliated to the Taliban have been released from jail in Afghanistan`s Herat province, officials said on Monday. The inmates were among the 900 Taliban detainees lodged in various government jails, the provincial governor`s spokesman Jailani Farhad was cited as saying by Xinhua news agency. Afghanistan`s President Ashraf Ghani announced the release of 900 Taliban detainees last week as a "good gesture" to encourage Taliban militants to hold a dialogue with the government to find a negotiated settlement to the country`s lingering crisis. The Taliban, who have refused to hold direct talks with the government, was yet to react to the government`s decision.

38 Taliban inmates released from Afghan jail

As 10 children from the same family were walking to school last year, they came across an unexploded mortar bomb -- a common sight in Afghanistan, where war still rages between the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-taliban-leader-pledges-to-keep-fighting-until-goals-met-223710">Taliban</a> and US-backed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/senators-want-visas-for-afghans-now-stranded-after-helping-us-forces-219104">national forces</a>.

Not realising what it was or the dangers it posed, the curious kids picked up the device and took it to show to an aunt and then it exploded. Three children and the older relative were killed, and the remaining seven lost at least one limb each.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-blast-at-central-explosives-plant-injures-19-authorities-warn-of-more-explosions-223393">explosion</a> in Jalalabad, in the eastern province of Nangarhar, was yet another horrific moment illustrating the burden borne by civilians across Afghanistan, which has been at war in one form or another for four decades.

"I feel very sad when I see other girls walk towards school and I cannot walk like them," 10-year-old Rabia Gul, who lost her right leg in the blast, told AFP during a recent visit to her family's home.

"I was happy when I had legs, but after losing one of my legs I am not happy in my life anymore."

According to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/peacebuilding-activities-should-align-with-national-priorities-india-at-united-nations-220419">United Nations,</a> 3,804 civilians -- including more than 900 children -- were killed in Afghanistan in 2018, with another 7,189 wounded.&nbsp;

It was the deadliest year on record for civilians in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/players-need-to-get-confidence-says-lasith-malinga-ahead-of-afghanistan-clash-223957">Afghanistan</a>, where decades of conflict have left the battered nation strewn with landmines, unexploded mortars, rockets and homemade bombs.

Rabia was sitting on a bench outside her simple house as six other amputee siblings and relatives, ranging in age from six to 15, placed stockings over their stumps and wriggled into their prosthetics.

"We hope that the Taliban comes and makes peace with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-government-raises-partial-airspace-ban-matter-with-pakistan-216393">Afghan government</a>, and security will be better in Afghanistan so that no one gets killed or wounded in this country," said Shafiqullah, 15, who lost both his legs.

For the most part, the children are now tutored at home, where walls have been pockmarked by stray bullets from fighting.But sometimes they must walk to school for exams -- a painful journey owing to blisters that develop where artificial limbs rub against the skin.

Such stories are common in Afghanistan, which accounted for nearly half of all civilian casualties in a list of six countries at war, the UN said this year.

In Kot district in Nangarhar province, 70-year-old grandmother Niaz Bibi lost three sons and three grandsons in two separate attacks by the Islamic State group, which has a growing footprint in the region.

&nbsp;Now Bibi is left taking care of their surviving offspring -- about 40 orphans in total.

"I always ask neighbours and other people to donate some food and clothes to feed them," Bibi told AFP, deep lines etched into her face attesting to her unbearable loss.

"I have got this weapon to guard my grandchildren against any possible attacks," she added, as she clasped an AK-47.

Such is the circle of violence, loss and revenge, it is hard to see how Bibi's family can ever break free.

"Though I have lost, if the war goes on like this I will send all these orphaned children when they grow up to serve their country and sacrifice their lives for their homeland," Bibi said.

After 18 years of conflict, the Taliban are in negotiations with the US for some sort of peace settlement. But a resolution still seems far off, with the two sides struggling to agree on several key points.

Despite losing tens of thousands of fighters in the years since the US-led invasion of 2001, the call of jihad against foreign forces remains a powerful draw.

Young men join up for any number of reasons, sometimes it's the only way to make a living, sometimes they have no choice.&nbsp;

Jalalabad resident Rahim Jan, a television actor, first learned his son, Afzal, had joined the Taliban when the phone rang one day in 2015.

The man on the other end of the line said, "Afzal has been martyred, congratulations to you," Jan told AFP.&nbsp;

Jan, 60, has no idea why his son had decided to become a suicide bomber. He had got married just three months before leaving.

In a short video Afzal sent his father, the 19-year-old son said,&nbsp;"I'm with the Taliban, and I'm happy."

When Afzal joined the Taliban, he gave the militants his family's contact details. Fearing for his younger son Wasim's safety, Jan sent him to Turkey.

He has since been deported and returned to Afghanistan, but plans on fleeing again.

"The Taliban have started calling me again, saying come and follow your brother's way and do jihad," Wasim says.

"I will once again try to go abroad at any cost because it is very difficult for me to live here."

As 10 children from the same family were walking to school last year, they came across an unexploded mortar bomb -- a common sight in Afghanistan, where war still rages between the Taliban and US-backed national forces.

As 10 children from the same family were walking to school last year, they came across an unexploded mortar bomb -- a common sight in Afghanistan, where war still rages between the Taliban and US-backed national forces. Not realising what it was or the dangers it posed, the curious kids picked up the device and took it to show to an aunt and then it exploded. Three children and the older relative were killed, and the remaining seven lost at least one limb each. The explosion in Jalalabad, in the eastern province of Nangarhar, was yet another horrific moment illustrating the burden borne by civilians across Afghanistan, which has been at war in one form or another for four decades. "I feel very sad when I see other girls walk towards school and I cannot walk like them," 10-year-old Rabia Gul, who lost her right leg in the blast, told AFP during a recent visit to her family's home. "I was happy when I had legs, but after losing one of my legs I am not happy in my life anymore." According to the United Nations, 3,804 civilians -- including more than 900 children -- were killed in Afghanistan in 2018, with another 7,189 wounded. It was the deadliest year on record for civilians in Afghanistan, where decades of conflict have left the battered nation strewn with landmines, unexploded mortars, rockets and homemade bombs. Rabia was sitting on a bench outside her simple house as six other amputee siblings and relatives, ranging in age from six to 15, placed stockings over their stumps and wriggled into their prosthetics. "We hope that the Taliban comes and makes peace with the Afghan government, and security will be better in Afghanistan so that no one gets killed or wounded in this country," said Shafiqullah, 15, who lost both his legs. For the most part, the children are now tutored at home, where walls have been pockmarked by stray bullets from fighting.But sometimes they must walk to school for exams -- a painful journey owing to blisters that develop where artificial limbs rub against the skin. Such stories are common in Afghanistan, which accounted for nearly half of all civilian casualties in a list of six countries at war, the UN said this year. In Kot district in Nangarhar province, 70-year-old grandmother Niaz Bibi lost three sons and three grandsons in two separate attacks by the Islamic State group, which has a growing footprint in the region. Now Bibi is left taking care of their surviving offspring -- about 40 orphans in total. "I always ask neighbours and other people to donate some food and clothes to feed them," Bibi told AFP, deep lines etched into her face attesting to her unbearable loss. "I have got this weapon to guard my grandchildren against any possible attacks," she added, as she clasped an AK-47. Such is the circle of violence, loss and revenge, it is hard to see how Bibi's family can ever break free. "Though I have lost, if the war goes on like this I will send all these orphaned children when they grow up to serve their country and sacrifice their lives for their homeland," Bibi said. After 18 years of conflict, the Taliban are in negotiations with the US for some sort of peace settlement. But a resolution still seems far off, with the two sides struggling to agree on several key points. Despite losing tens of thousands of fighters in the years since the US-led invasion of 2001, the call of jihad against foreign forces remains a powerful draw. Young men join up for any number of reasons, sometimes it's the only way to make a living, sometimes they have no choice. Jalalabad resident Rahim Jan, a television actor, first learned his son, Afzal, had joined the Taliban when the phone rang one day in 2015. The man on the other end of the line said, "Afzal has been martyred, congratulations to you," Jan told AFP. Jan, 60, has no idea why his son had decided to become a suicide bomber. He had got married just three months before leaving. In a short video Afzal sent his father, the 19-year-old son said, "I'm with the Taliban, and I'm happy." When Afzal joined the Taliban, he gave the militants his family's contact details. Fearing for his younger son Wasim's safety, Jan sent him to Turkey. He has since been deported and returned to Afghanistan, but plans on fleeing again. "The Taliban have started calling me again, saying come and follow your brother's way and do jihad," Wasim says. "I will once again try to go abroad at any cost because it is very difficult for me to live here."

Rural Afghans bear brutal cost of endless war

The Taliban are unlikely to call a ceasefire any time soon, the group's leader indicated Saturday, though he said the "doors of dialogue" with the US remain open.

The rare message from Haibatullah Akhundzada comes after the sixth round of US-led talks ended last month in Qatar with little sign of progress and amid continued bloodshed across Afghanistan.

"The doors of dialogue and negotiations have been kept open and at this very moment, the (Taliban) negotiation team... Is engaged in negotiations with the American side," Akhundzada said in a message ahead of the upcoming festival of Eid, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had proposed a nationwide ceasefire at the start of Ramadan early last month, but the Taliban rejected the offer.

Last year, the Taliban observed a three-day ceasefire over Eid and many Afghans -- exhausted by decades of war and violence -- had pinned their hopes on another truce this year.

But Akhundzada said: "No one should expect us to pour cold water on the heated battlefronts of jihad or forget our 40-year sacrifices before reaching our objectives." 
In a sign of Afghans' frustration with their country's seemingly unending conflict, a group of protestors have restarted a peace march that last year saw them walking across Afghanistan and into the capital Kabul.

Bismillah Watandost, a spokesman for the People's Peace Movement, told AFP on Saturday that about 30 people had started the walk late Thursday, heading from Lashkar Gah to Musa Qala in Helmand province, a Taliban stronghold.

"We will be marching 150 kilometres (93 miles). Some of our friends have blisters on their feet from wearing old shoes," Watandost said.

"This is our first peace march during the holy month of Ramadan, all of us are fasting." He said the group aims to express to the Taliban the pain and suffering of Afghans.

"Even if we are intimidated with death threats, we won't care about it," Watandost said.

On Friday, former president Hamid Karzai mistakenly declared the Taliban had announced a new ceasefire after hearing an old message the insurgents had put out last year.

Karzai's announcement unleashed a brief spell of confusion across the country, with media outlets firing off tweets and breaking news reports announcing the alleged truce.

The Taliban are unlikely to call a ceasefire any time soon, the group's leader indicated Saturday, though he said the "doors of dialogue" with the US remain open.

The Taliban are unlikely to call a ceasefire any time soon, the group's leader indicated Saturday, though he said the "doors of dialogue" with the US remain open. The rare message from Haibatullah Akhundzada comes after the sixth round of US-led talks ended last month in Qatar with little sign of progress and amid continued bloodshed across Afghanistan. "The doors of dialogue and negotiations have been kept open and at this very moment, the (Taliban) negotiation team... Is engaged in negotiations with the American side," Akhundzada said in a message ahead of the upcoming festival of Eid, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had proposed a nationwide ceasefire at the start of Ramadan early last month, but the Taliban rejected the offer. Last year, the Taliban observed a three-day ceasefire over Eid and many Afghans -- exhausted by decades of war and violence -- had pinned their hopes on another truce this year. But Akhundzada said: "No one should expect us to pour cold water on the heated battlefronts of jihad or forget our 40-year sacrifices before reaching our objectives." In a sign of Afghans' frustration with their country's seemingly unending conflict, a group of protestors have restarted a peace march that last year saw them walking across Afghanistan and into the capital Kabul. Bismillah Watandost, a spokesman for the People's Peace Movement, told AFP on Saturday that about 30 people had started the walk late Thursday, heading from Lashkar Gah to Musa Qala in Helmand province, a Taliban stronghold. "We will be marching 150 kilometres (93 miles). Some of our friends have blisters on their feet from wearing old shoes," Watandost said. "This is our first peace march during the holy month of Ramadan, all of us are fasting." He said the group aims to express to the Taliban the pain and suffering of Afghans. "Even if we are intimidated with death threats, we won't care about it," Watandost said. On Friday, former president Hamid Karzai mistakenly declared the Taliban had announced a new ceasefire after hearing an old message the insurgents had put out last year. Karzai's announcement unleashed a brief spell of confusion across the country, with media outlets firing off tweets and breaking news reports announcing the alleged truce.

Taliban leader indicates no ceasefire anytime soon

Attacks on schools in Afghanistan increased almost threefold last year, making it increasingly difficult to ensure an education for children in many parts of the country, the United Nations children`s fund UNICEF said on Tuesday.

The agency, which promotes education and children's rights, said the number of attacks against Afghan schools jumped from 68 in 2017 to 192 last year. It was the first time since 2015 that a rise in attacks had been recorded.

"Education is under fire in Afghanistan," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. "The senseless attacks on schools; the killing, injury and abduction of teachers; and the threats against education are destroying the hopes and dreams of an entire generation of children."

More than 1,000 schools across the country remain closed because of security threats from groups such as the Taliban and Islamic State, which have sought soft targets for attacks aimed at extending and consolidating their influence through intimidation.

Although the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-taliban-claims-responsibility-for-quetta-blast-218492"> Taliban</a> have shifted from their previous opposition to all forms of girls` education, they have faced regular accusations of shutting down schools run in a way they do not approve.

UNICEF said the use of school buildings as voter centres during last year's parliamentary election may have been a factor behind the rise in attacks.

Afghanistan has a young and fast-growing population but about 3.7 million children, or nearly half of all school-age children, are not in formal education, UNICEF said.

Attacks on schools in Afghanistan increased almost threefold last year, making it increasingly difficult to ensure an education for children in many parts of the country, the United Nations children`s fund UNICEF said on Tuesday.

Attacks on schools in Afghanistan increased almost threefold last year, making it increasingly difficult to ensure an education for children in many parts of the country, the United Nations children`s fund UNICEF said on Tuesday. The agency, which promotes education and children's rights, said the number of attacks against Afghan schools jumped from 68 in 2017 to 192 last year. It was the first time since 2015 that a rise in attacks had been recorded. "Education is under fire in Afghanistan," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. "The senseless attacks on schools; the killing, injury and abduction of teachers; and the threats against education are destroying the hopes and dreams of an entire generation of children." More than 1,000 schools across the country remain closed because of security threats from groups such as the Taliban and Islamic State, which have sought soft targets for attacks aimed at extending and consolidating their influence through intimidation. Although the Taliban have shifted from their previous opposition to all forms of girls` education, they have faced regular accusations of shutting down schools run in a way they do not approve. UNICEF said the use of school buildings as voter centres during last year's parliamentary election may have been a factor behind the rise in attacks. Afghanistan has a young and fast-growing population but about 3.7 million children, or nearly half of all school-age children, are not in formal education, UNICEF said.

Education under fire' as attacks on Afghan schools jump: UNICEF

At least four militants, including a local Islamic State (IS) commander, were killed in an operation carried out by Afghan Special Forces in Nangarhar province, local media reported on Saturday.

According to Afghanistan's Interior Ministry, the operation was carried out in the Deh Bala district of the said province on Friday.

Six other IS sympathisers sustained injuries during the operation, reported Sputnik.

Nangarhar lies 120 kilometres east of capital Kabul. The province witnesses scenes of clashes between the security forces and IS militants from time to time. This has forced more than 9000 families living in the province to flee to safer places.

Afghanistan is suffering from an unstable political, social, and security situation due to the activities of the Taliban and Islamic State.

The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) regularly conduct joint offensive operations to combat terrorism across the country.&nbsp;

At least four militants, including a local Islamic State (IS) commander, were killed in an operation carried out by Afghan Special Forces in Nangarhar province, local media reported on Saturday.

At least four militants, including a local Islamic State (IS) commander, were killed in an operation carried out by Afghan Special Forces in Nangarhar province, local media reported on Saturday. According to Afghanistan's Interior Ministry, the operation was carried out in the Deh Bala district of the said province on Friday. Six other IS sympathisers sustained injuries during the operation, reported Sputnik. Nangarhar lies 120 kilometres east of capital Kabul. The province witnesses scenes of clashes between the security forces and IS militants from time to time. This has forced more than 9000 families living in the province to flee to safer places. Afghanistan is suffering from an unstable political, social, and security situation due to the activities of the Taliban and Islamic State. The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) regularly conduct joint offensive operations to combat terrorism across the country.

Local Islamic State commander among 4 killed by Afghan forces

Passengers and crew aboard a US military helicopter were injured when the chopper they were travelling in was destroyed during a "hard landing" in Afghanistan, a US official said Saturday.&nbsp;

According to Colonel David Butler, a spokesman for US Forces Afghanistan, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter "hit the ground hard on the way to drop passengers off" during a mission in Helmand province.&nbsp;

Butler said the helicopter had been totally destroyed during the landing.

"Both Afghan and US personnel were injured but all are stable and expected to recover," he told AFP.&nbsp;

"No hostile fire or enemy contact involved."

Chinooks, easily recognisable because they have one rotor at the front and one at the back, are the workhorse aircraft for foreign forces in Afghanistan and are used to ferry troops and supplies across the country.

Passengers and crew aboard a US military helicopter were injured when the chopper they were travelling in was destroyed during a "hard landing" in Afghanistan, a US official said Saturday.

Passengers and crew aboard a US military helicopter were injured when the chopper they were travelling in was destroyed during a "hard landing" in Afghanistan, a US official said Saturday. According to Colonel David Butler, a spokesman for US Forces Afghanistan, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter "hit the ground hard on the way to drop passengers off" during a mission in Helmand province. Butler said the helicopter had been totally destroyed during the landing. "Both Afghan and US personnel were injured but all are stable and expected to recover," he told AFP. "No hostile fire or enemy contact involved." Chinooks, easily recognisable because they have one rotor at the front and one at the back, are the workhorse aircraft for foreign forces in Afghanistan and are used to ferry troops and supplies across the country.

US military helicopter destroyed in Afghanistan 'hard landing'

India and China on Friday agreed to work closely on the ongoing efforts to bring peace and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/afghan-peace-talks-india-must-update-its-contingency-plans-to-prevent-talibans-takeover-of-kabul-207911">stability in Afghanistan</a>.

The commitment came after Chinese Special Envoy Ambassador Deng Xijun was on a visit to New Delhi, where he met Indian officials to discuss Afghanistan's current situation.

The Chinese diplomat also met Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.

"Chinese Special Envoy Ambassador Deng Xijun today held discussions with Indian officials on the situation in Afghanistan, including peace and reconciliation efforts. He also called on Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale," Kumar wrote on his Twitter handle.

"The two sides agreed to consult closely on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and carry forward the decision taken by the leadership of the two countries on joint cooperation in Afghanistan," read another tweet.

In April last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had met in Wuhan.

During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to collaborate on Afghanistan's peace efforts in order to boost mutual trust between New Delhi and Beijing, following the 73-day standoff in Bhutan's Doklam plateau in 2017, which strained bilateral ties.

The US has been leading efforts to pressurise the Taliban to lay down their arms and end the nearly two-decades-long civil war in Afghanistan. Both sides have participated in several rounds of meeting in Qatar in an effort to chalk out a peace agreement.

On Tuesday, US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad held consultations with Indian government officials and other stakeholders, including External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi.

Khalilzad, who was on a recent two-day visit to India, also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, and India's Ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar, among others.

During his meetings, Khalilzad welcomed India's support for the Afghan peace process, which "strengthens an emerging international consensus for peace efforts."

He also recognised that many important contributions India has made to Afghanistan's development.

India has been a key stakeholder in Afghanistan's peace and reconciliation process and has been pushing for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace process.

In November last year, India had participated in talks on 'Afghanistan peace process'&nbsp;in Moscow at a non-official level.

India sent two former diplomats to the meeting, which was also attended by Taliban leaders even though New Delhi has a policy on not engaging with the terror group.&nbsp;

India and China on Friday agreed to work closely on the ongoing efforts to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan. The commitment came after Chinese Special Envoy Ambassador Deng Xijun was on a visit to New Delhi, where he met Indian officials to discuss Afghanistan's current situation.

India and China on Friday agreed to work closely on the ongoing efforts to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan. The commitment came after Chinese Special Envoy Ambassador Deng Xijun was on a visit to New Delhi, where he met Indian officials to discuss Afghanistan's current situation. The Chinese diplomat also met Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. "Chinese Special Envoy Ambassador Deng Xijun today held discussions with Indian officials on the situation in Afghanistan, including peace and reconciliation efforts. He also called on Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale," Kumar wrote on his Twitter handle. "The two sides agreed to consult closely on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and carry forward the decision taken by the leadership of the two countries on joint cooperation in Afghanistan," read another tweet. In April last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had met in Wuhan. During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to collaborate on Afghanistan's peace efforts in order to boost mutual trust between New Delhi and Beijing, following the 73-day standoff in Bhutan's Doklam plateau in 2017, which strained bilateral ties. The US has been leading efforts to pressurise the Taliban to lay down their arms and end the nearly two-decades-long civil war in Afghanistan. Both sides have participated in several rounds of meeting in Qatar in an effort to chalk out a peace agreement. On Tuesday, US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad held consultations with Indian government officials and other stakeholders, including External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi. Khalilzad, who was on a recent two-day visit to India, also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, and India's Ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar, among others. During his meetings, Khalilzad welcomed India's support for the Afghan peace process, which "strengthens an emerging international consensus for peace efforts." He also recognised that many important contributions India has made to Afghanistan's development. India has been a key stakeholder in Afghanistan's peace and reconciliation process and has been pushing for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace process. In November last year, India had participated in talks on 'Afghanistan peace process' in Moscow at a non-official level. India sent two former diplomats to the meeting, which was also attended by Taliban leaders even though New Delhi has a policy on not engaging with the terror group.

India, China to cooperate closely on Afghanistan's peace efforts

The US special envoy tasked with forging a peace deal with the Taliban said Saturday that America stands ready for "all sides" to lay down arms in the 17-year conflict.

Peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is leading the latest round of talks with the Taliban in Doha, where the two foes are pursuing a deal that would see the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan in return for Taliban security guarantees.&nbsp;

"All sides laying down arms is the outcome of any peace process," Khalilzad tweeted.

"All sides agreeing to reduce violence is a necessary step toward achieving that outcome and the morally responsible choice to make. We stand ready."

Khalilzad's comments come a day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was prepared to call an "immediate" and "permanent" ceasefire -- but the Taliban rebuffed the offer.

Ghani had also offered to release 175 prisoners as a goodwill gesture. His talk of a ceasefire comes as momentum builds in various Afghan peace talks.&nbsp;

Thousands of tribal elders, women and representatives met last week at a massive "loya jirga" peace summit in Kabul, which ended with a demand for a ceasefire between the government and Taliban forces.

'Failed strategies'

The talks between the Taliban and the US, who have met about a half dozen times in recent months, are taking place separately in the Qatari capital Doha.

Neither side has said much about progress in their latest talks, which were ongoing Saturday, but Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Friday tweeted that America should "forget about the idea of us putting down our arms".

The Doha talks focus on eventual foreign troop withdrawal in exchange for the Taliban guaranteeing Afghanistan will never again be used as a safe haven for terror groups.&nbsp;

Khalilzad has repeatedly stressed that nothing would be finalised until two other key issues -- a ceasefire and dialogue between Afghan society and the Taliban -- have been addressed.

Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban's political spokesman in Doha, told AFP that "efforts are underway" to flesh out differences on the security and troop withdrawal issues.&nbsp;

But in what appears to be something of an impasse with the Americans, Shaheen said the other key points of a comprehensive ceasefire and intra-Afghan dialogue could not be addressed until those first two points were agreed.

Last year, however, the Taliban did announce a three-day ceasefire at the end of Ramadan after Ghani declared a unilateral truce for eight days earlier in the month.

It was the first formal nationwide ceasefire since the US-led invasion of 2001 and saw unprecedented scenes of reconciliation and jubilation across the country.

The insurgents have steadfastly refused to talk to Ghani, who they view as a US puppet, and talks thus far have cut out his government.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's war rages on, with thousands of civilians and fighters being killed each year.

US forces continue to train Afghan partners on the ground and strike the Taliban from the air, in a bid to push the war to a political settlement.

The US special envoy tasked with forging a peace deal with the Taliban said Saturday that America stands ready for "all sides" to lay down arms in the 17-year conflict.

The US special envoy tasked with forging a peace deal with the Taliban said Saturday that America stands ready for "all sides" to lay down arms in the 17-year conflict. Peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is leading the latest round of talks with the Taliban in Doha, where the two foes are pursuing a deal that would see the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan in return for Taliban security guarantees. "All sides laying down arms is the outcome of any peace process," Khalilzad tweeted. "All sides agreeing to reduce violence is a necessary step toward achieving that outcome and the morally responsible choice to make. We stand ready." Khalilzad's comments come a day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was prepared to call an "immediate" and "permanent" ceasefire -- but the Taliban rebuffed the offer. Ghani had also offered to release 175 prisoners as a goodwill gesture. His talk of a ceasefire comes as momentum builds in various Afghan peace talks. Thousands of tribal elders, women and representatives met last week at a massive "loya jirga" peace summit in Kabul, which ended with a demand for a ceasefire between the government and Taliban forces. 'Failed strategies' The talks between the Taliban and the US, who have met about a half dozen times in recent months, are taking place separately in the Qatari capital Doha. Neither side has said much about progress in their latest talks, which were ongoing Saturday, but Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Friday tweeted that America should "forget about the idea of us putting down our arms". The Doha talks focus on eventual foreign troop withdrawal in exchange for the Taliban guaranteeing Afghanistan will never again be used as a safe haven for terror groups. Khalilzad has repeatedly stressed that nothing would be finalised until two other key issues -- a ceasefire and dialogue between Afghan society and the Taliban -- have been addressed. Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban's political spokesman in Doha, told AFP that "efforts are underway" to flesh out differences on the security and troop withdrawal issues. But in what appears to be something of an impasse with the Americans, Shaheen said the other key points of a comprehensive ceasefire and intra-Afghan dialogue could not be addressed until those first two points were agreed. Last year, however, the Taliban did announce a three-day ceasefire at the end of Ramadan after Ghani declared a unilateral truce for eight days earlier in the month. It was the first formal nationwide ceasefire since the US-led invasion of 2001 and saw unprecedented scenes of reconciliation and jubilation across the country. The insurgents have steadfastly refused to talk to Ghani, who they view as a US puppet, and talks thus far have cut out his government. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's war rages on, with thousands of civilians and fighters being killed each year. US forces continue to train Afghan partners on the ground and strike the Taliban from the air, in a bid to push the war to a political settlement.

US ready for 'all sides' to lay down arms in Afghan war: Zalmay Khalilzad

The US military has stopped tracking the amount of territory controlled or influenced by the Afghan government and militants, a US watchdog said on Tuesday, one of the last remaining public metrics that tracked the worsening security situation in the war-torn country.

The move comes as US and Taliban officials have held several rounds of talks aimed at ensuring a safe exit for US forces in return for a Taliban guarantee that Afghanistan will not be used by militants to threaten the rest of the world.

The Taliban announced the start of a spring offensive in early April. Even before the announcement, combat had intensified across Afghanistan in recent weeks and hundreds of Afghan troops and civilians have been killed.

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said in a report published late Tuesday night that the US military had told the watchdog it was no longer tracking the level of control or influence the Afghan government and militants had over districts in the country.

The NATO-led Resolute Support (RS) mission in Afghanistan had told SIGAR that the assessments were "of limited decision-making value to the (RS) Commander."

Colonel David Butler, spokesman for US Forces in Afghanistan, said that while Resolute Support was no longer doing the analyses, the intelligence community did its own classified assessment of districts controlled by the government and Taliban. He did not speculate on whether the intelligence community analyses would continue or not.

"This much is clear: There's even less information for American taxpayers to gauge whether their investment in Afghanistan is a success, or something else," John Sopko, the head of SIGAR, told Reuters.

A January report put districts under government control or influence at 53.8 per cent covering 63.5 per cent of the population by October 2018, with the rest of the country controlled or contested by the Taliban.

Experts said that the move to stop tracking the key data was worrying because Washington had publicly set a benchmark which would now be difficult to measure.

In November 2017, the top US general in Afghanistan at the time set a goal of driving back Taliban insurgents enough for the government to control at least 80 per cent of the country within two years.

"If the military is not going to be tracking that data anymore, that is going to make it a lot more difficult to get a sense as to how strong the Taliban is," Michael Kugelman, with the Woodrow Wilson Center, said.

"That may well be the military's intention," he said.

Diminishing accountability

Over the past few years, the US military has restricted data on the Afghan war being shared with the public, including the size of the security forces, casualty numbers and the attrition rate for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF).

In 2018, the US military said a "human error in labelling" caused it to treat as classified information the amount of territory controlled or influenced by the Taliban and the Afghan government.

The rest of the report painted a bleak picture of the security situation in Afghanistan.

Citing numbers from Resolute Support, SIGAR said the monthly average of enemy-initiated attacks increased by 19 per cent from November 2018 through January 2019 compared to between August to October 2018.

ANDSF casualties increased by about 31 per cent from December through February compared to the same three-month period last year.

"The latest data from the few remaining publicly available measures of the security situation in Afghanistan - enemy-initiated attacks, general ANDSF casualty trends, and security incidents - show that Afghanistan experienced heightened insecurity," the report said.

The US military has stopped tracking the amount of territory controlled or influenced by the Afghan government and militants, a US watchdog said on Tuesday, one of the last remaining public metrics that tracked the worsening security situation in the war-torn country.

The US military has stopped tracking the amount of territory controlled or influenced by the Afghan government and militants, a US watchdog said on Tuesday, one of the last remaining public metrics that tracked the worsening security situation in the war-torn country. The move comes as US and Taliban officials have held several rounds of talks aimed at ensuring a safe exit for US forces in return for a Taliban guarantee that Afghanistan will not be used by militants to threaten the rest of the world. The Taliban announced the start of a spring offensive in early April. Even before the announcement, combat had intensified across Afghanistan in recent weeks and hundreds of Afghan troops and civilians have been killed. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said in a report published late Tuesday night that the US military had told the watchdog it was no longer tracking the level of control or influence the Afghan government and militants had over districts in the country. The NATO-led Resolute Support (RS) mission in Afghanistan had told SIGAR that the assessments were "of limited decision-making value to the (RS) Commander." Colonel David Butler, spokesman for US Forces in Afghanistan, said that while Resolute Support was no longer doing the analyses, the intelligence community did its own classified assessment of districts controlled by the government and Taliban. He did not speculate on whether the intelligence community analyses would continue or not. "This much is clear: There's even less information for American taxpayers to gauge whether their investment in Afghanistan is a success, or something else," John Sopko, the head of SIGAR, told Reuters. A January report put districts under government control or influence at 53.8 per cent covering 63.5 per cent of the population by October 2018, with the rest of the country controlled or contested by the Taliban. Experts said that the move to stop tracking the key data was worrying because Washington had publicly set a benchmark which would now be difficult to measure. In November 2017, the top US general in Afghanistan at the time set a goal of driving back Taliban insurgents enough for the government to control at least 80 per cent of the country within two years. "If the military is not going to be tracking that data anymore, that is going to make it a lot more difficult to get a sense as to how strong the Taliban is," Michael Kugelman, with the Woodrow Wilson Center, said. "That may well be the military's intention," he said. Diminishing accountability Over the past few years, the US military has restricted data on the Afghan war being shared with the public, including the size of the security forces, casualty numbers and the attrition rate for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF). In 2018, the US military said a "human error in labelling" caused it to treat as classified information the amount of territory controlled or influenced by the Taliban and the Afghan government. The rest of the report painted a bleak picture of the security situation in Afghanistan. Citing numbers from Resolute Support, SIGAR said the monthly average of enemy-initiated attacks increased by 19 per cent from November 2018 through January 2019 compared to between August to October 2018. ANDSF casualties increased by about 31 per cent from December through February compared to the same three-month period last year. "The latest data from the few remaining publicly available measures of the security situation in Afghanistan - enemy-initiated attacks, general ANDSF casualty trends, and security incidents - show that Afghanistan experienced heightened insecurity," the report said.

US military stops tracking key metric on Afghan war: Watchdog

Afghanistan on Monday will convene a rare "loya jirga" -- a massive meeting for delegates from across the country to discuss the war and US efforts to forge a peace deal with the Taliban.

More than 2,000 people have been invited to gather amid tight security for four days of debate under a large tent in Kabul.

Here is a look at the history of loya jirgas, and what to expect from this one.

What is a loya jirga?

A loya jirga -- literally "grand assembly" in Pashto -- is traditionally comprised of Afghan elders.

Such gatherings have a centuries-old history in Afghan culture and are periodically convened to reach a consensus on major political issues.

The most recent jirga was held in 2013, when Afghan officials endorsed a security agreement that allowed US troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond their planned withdrawal in 2014.

In August 2007, the first joint Afghan-Pakistan jirga was held in Kabul after relations between the neighbours deteriorated amid Afghan accusations that Pakistan was harbouring Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters.

In 2003, former president Sibghatullah Mojaddedi chaired a loya jirga that approved Afghanistan's new constitution for a post-Taliban era.

The events usually comprise political figures, religious scholars, teachers, activists and community leaders. Delegates typically break into smaller groups to tackle various matters.

What is on the agenda?

The upcoming loya jirga is being held at a time when the US and Taliban militants have held several rounds of talks.

The two sides have discussed a possible troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in exchange for a ceasefire and various pledges from the Taliban.

But crucially, the talks have thus far cut out the government of President Ashraf Ghani, whom the Taliban view as a US stooge.

Ghani's government is jostling for influence in the peace talks and the jirga aims to set out Kabul's red lines for any deal, including the continuation of the constitution and the protection of women's rights, the media, and free speech.

Ghani has invited the Taliban to participate, but the insurgents, having waged an unrelenting guerrilla war since 2001, have predictably refused.

In the past, the Taliban have blasted rockets at the loya jirga tent, and much of Kabul is being locked down under a massive security operation for this year's event.

In a statement, the Taliban vowed that any decisions or resolutions made at a loya jirga are "never acceptable to the real and devout sons of this homeland".

Who will be there?

Top politicians including Ghani, former president Hamid Karzai, ex-foreign minister Zalmay Rassoul, former warlord Abdul Rab Rasoul Sayyaf and many other Afghan officials are attending.

But chief executive Abdullah Abdullah, notorious former warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, and Ghani's former national security advisor Mohammad Haneef Atmar are boycotting the event, saying it was pulled together without consultation and is being used by Ghani to campaign ahead of presidential elections slated for September.

What is at stake?

A lot. Ghani's credibility, fast dwindling in the eyes of the West, will be put to the test, with observers waiting to see if he can secure a meaningful consensus, or whether the event will unravel amid bickering and in-fighting.

A planned meeting between Afghan officials and the Taliban in Qatar collapsed at the last minute this month over recriminations about the number of delegates Ghani wanted to bring to Doha.

His original roster comprised 250 members, which the Taliban likened to a guest list for an Afghan wedding.

A new round of talks between the Taliban and the US is due to take place in Doha in the coming days.

A meaningful and clear signal from Kabul will be key for US negotiators.

Afghanistan on Monday will convene a rare "loya jirga" -- a massive meeting for delegates from across the country to discuss the war and US efforts to forge a peace deal with the Taliban.

Afghanistan on Monday will convene a rare "loya jirga" -- a massive meeting for delegates from across the country to discuss the war and US efforts to forge a peace deal with the Taliban. More than 2,000 people have been invited to gather amid tight security for four days of debate under a large tent in Kabul. Here is a look at the history of loya jirgas, and what to expect from this one. What is a loya jirga? A loya jirga -- literally "grand assembly" in Pashto -- is traditionally comprised of Afghan elders. Such gatherings have a centuries-old history in Afghan culture and are periodically convened to reach a consensus on major political issues. The most recent jirga was held in 2013, when Afghan officials endorsed a security agreement that allowed US troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond their planned withdrawal in 2014. In August 2007, the first joint Afghan-Pakistan jirga was held in Kabul after relations between the neighbours deteriorated amid Afghan accusations that Pakistan was harbouring Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters. In 2003, former president Sibghatullah Mojaddedi chaired a loya jirga that approved Afghanistan's new constitution for a post-Taliban era. The events usually comprise political figures, religious scholars, teachers, activists and community leaders. Delegates typically break into smaller groups to tackle various matters. What is on the agenda? The upcoming loya jirga is being held at a time when the US and Taliban militants have held several rounds of talks. The two sides have discussed a possible troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in exchange for a ceasefire and various pledges from the Taliban. But crucially, the talks have thus far cut out the government of President Ashraf Ghani, whom the Taliban view as a US stooge. Ghani's government is jostling for influence in the peace talks and the jirga aims to set out Kabul's red lines for any deal, including the continuation of the constitution and the protection of women's rights, the media, and free speech. Ghani has invited the Taliban to participate, but the insurgents, having waged an unrelenting guerrilla war since 2001, have predictably refused. In the past, the Taliban have blasted rockets at the loya jirga tent, and much of Kabul is being locked down under a massive security operation for this year's event. In a statement, the Taliban vowed that any decisions or resolutions made at a loya jirga are "never acceptable to the real and devout sons of this homeland". Who will be there? Top politicians including Ghani, former president Hamid Karzai, ex-foreign minister Zalmay Rassoul, former warlord Abdul Rab Rasoul Sayyaf and many other Afghan officials are attending. But chief executive Abdullah Abdullah, notorious former warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, and Ghani's former national security advisor Mohammad Haneef Atmar are boycotting the event, saying it was pulled together without consultation and is being used by Ghani to campaign ahead of presidential elections slated for September. What is at stake? A lot. Ghani's credibility, fast dwindling in the eyes of the West, will be put to the test, with observers waiting to see if he can secure a meaningful consensus, or whether the event will unravel amid bickering and in-fighting. A planned meeting between Afghan officials and the Taliban in Qatar collapsed at the last minute this month over recriminations about the number of delegates Ghani wanted to bring to Doha. His original roster comprised 250 members, which the Taliban likened to a guest list for an Afghan wedding. A new round of talks between the Taliban and the US is due to take place in Doha in the coming days. A meaningful and clear signal from Kabul will be key for US negotiators.

Afghanistan to hold 'massive meeting' to discuss US-led peace talks with Taliban

The assault trial of a Canadian man once held hostage with his American wife in Afghanistan was suspended Friday while a legal dispute over evidence is sorted out.

Joshua Boyle, 35, was arrested and charged with sexual assault and forcible confinement at the end of 2017 just two months after he and his wife Caitlan Coleman, 33, returned to Canada after their five-year hostage ordeal.

He pleaded not guilty at his trial, which started in March but could now be delayed for months while Coleman fights the introduction of evidence of the couple's past consensual sexual activities.

A hearing is scheduled for May 15.&nbsp;

Defence lawyer Eric Granger said the trial could resume as early as July. "That's theoretically possible," he told AFP, following reports that Coleman won't appeal the decision on evidence, whatever the outcome.

Boyle and Coleman, who married in 2011, were kidnapped by the Taliban during what they have called a backpacking trip in 2012 and were transferred to the custody of the Taliban-allied Haqqani network.

Coleman testified that during captivity, Boyle became physically abusive, biting, choking, punching, slapping and spanking her, as well as casually threatening to kill her in front of their children -- who were born in captivity.

The assaults and abuse, she said, paused briefly after their release, but then started up again.

The court heard Boyle's 911 call on the day Coleman walked out of the couple's Ottawa apartment at the end of December. He claimed she was mentally unstable, struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, and might harm herself.

But the call triggered a police investigation that led to him being charged.

The court has banned the identification of a second alleged victim in the case.

The assault trial of a Canadian man once held hostage with his American wife in Afghanistan was suspended Friday while a legal dispute over evidence is sorted out.

The assault trial of a Canadian man once held hostage with his American wife in Afghanistan was suspended Friday while a legal dispute over evidence is sorted out. Joshua Boyle, 35, was arrested and charged with sexual assault and forcible confinement at the end of 2017 just two months after he and his wife Caitlan Coleman, 33, returned to Canada after their five-year hostage ordeal. He pleaded not guilty at his trial, which started in March but could now be delayed for months while Coleman fights the introduction of evidence of the couple's past consensual sexual activities. A hearing is scheduled for May 15. Defence lawyer Eric Granger said the trial could resume as early as July. "That's theoretically possible," he told AFP, following reports that Coleman won't appeal the decision on evidence, whatever the outcome. Boyle and Coleman, who married in 2011, were kidnapped by the Taliban during what they have called a backpacking trip in 2012 and were transferred to the custody of the Taliban-allied Haqqani network. Coleman testified that during captivity, Boyle became physically abusive, biting, choking, punching, slapping and spanking her, as well as casually threatening to kill her in front of their children -- who were born in captivity. The assaults and abuse, she said, paused briefly after their release, but then started up again. The court heard Boyle's 911 call on the day Coleman walked out of the couple's Ottawa apartment at the end of December. He claimed she was mentally unstable, struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, and might harm herself. But the call triggered a police investigation that led to him being charged. The court has banned the identification of a second alleged victim in the case.

Former Afghan hostage Joshua Boyle's assault trial delayed

The United Nations Security Council condemned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-announce-spring-offensive-amid-afghan-peace-push-209755">Afghanistan's Taliban</a> on Monday for announcing a spring offensive and called on all parties to instead seize the opportunity to begin talks.

In a unanimous statement, the council said the Taliban's announcement will "only result in more unnecessary suffering and destruction for the Afghan people."

The Taliban launched attacks near the northern city of Kunduz and in Kabul on Saturday, hours after announcing the start of the spring offensive.&nbsp;

At least nine people were killed and scores wounded in those attacks, according to Afghan officials.

The bloodshed came as the US pushes for a peace settlement with the Taliban, and ahead of a new round of talks expected to take place in Qatar later this month.

The Security Council "called on all parties to the conflict to seize the opportunity to begin an inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiations that result in a political settlement," said the statement.

US officials have already met several times with the Taliban and further talks are expected in the Qatari capital Doha later this month that would include Afghan political leaders.

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US diplomat who has held several rounds of talks with the Taliban in hopes of reaching a peace deal, called the announcement of the spring offensive "reckless" and "irresponsible."

To facilitate travel to Doha, the council has lifted travel bans for 11 Taliban delegates, including Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a cofounder of the Islamist movement and its top political leader, as well as Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Taliban's former deputy minister of foreign affairs.

The United Nations Security Council condemned Afghanistan's Taliban on Monday for announcing a spring offensive and called on all parties to instead seize the opportunity to begin talks.

The United Nations Security Council condemned Afghanistan's Taliban on Monday for announcing a spring offensive and called on all parties to instead seize the opportunity to begin talks. In a unanimous statement, the council said the Taliban's announcement will "only result in more unnecessary suffering and destruction for the Afghan people." The Taliban launched attacks near the northern city of Kunduz and in Kabul on Saturday, hours after announcing the start of the spring offensive. At least nine people were killed and scores wounded in those attacks, according to Afghan officials. The bloodshed came as the US pushes for a peace settlement with the Taliban, and ahead of a new round of talks expected to take place in Qatar later this month. The Security Council "called on all parties to the conflict to seize the opportunity to begin an inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiations that result in a political settlement," said the statement. US officials have already met several times with the Taliban and further talks are expected in the Qatari capital Doha later this month that would include Afghan political leaders. Zalmay Khalilzad, the US diplomat who has held several rounds of talks with the Taliban in hopes of reaching a peace deal, called the announcement of the spring offensive "reckless" and "irresponsible." To facilitate travel to Doha, the council has lifted travel bans for 11 Taliban delegates, including Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a cofounder of the Islamist movement and its top political leader, as well as Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Taliban's former deputy minister of foreign affairs.

United Nations condemns Taliban spring offensive in Afghanistan

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