Top United States officials have reportedly had an in-person meeting with the Taliban in the Qatari capital of Doha.

According to CNN, this was the first meeting of US officials with the Taliban since the killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul in late July.

The meeting that took place on Saturday saw the presence of CIA’s deputy director and the top State Department official responsible for Afghanistan and Taliban’s head of intelligence, Abdul Haq Wasiq, two officials familiar with the development told CNN.

“The presence of CIA Deputy Director David Cohen and the Taliban’s Abdul Haq Wasiq at the meeting on Saturday indicates an emphasis on counterterrorism,” the report said.

The meeting comes after the White House last month termed cooperation with the Taliban on counterterrorism as “a work in progress.”

Zawahiri was killed in a drone strike in Kabul. He was found to be residing in a safe house that had ties to the deputy leader of the Taliban.

US officials had claimed that the home belonged to an aide of Sirajuddin Haqqani, a top deputy of the Taliban's supreme leader Mullah Haibatallah Akhundzada.

While the Taliban had angrily condemned the operation, the US officials accused the militant group of knowing about Zawahiri’s whereabouts.

The meeting on counterterrorism comes at a time when Afghanistan is facing an insurgency from the Islamic State offshoot, called ISIS-K, and has witnessed blasts and attacks.

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Beth Sanner, a former Deputy Director of National Intelligence who led Afghanistan analysis at the CIA, told CNN, “The Taliban are struggling to prevent ISIS-K attacks, making them look feckless, particularly in Kabul."

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“[Cohen] is likely to deliver a firm message that we will conduct more strikes as we did against Zawahiri if we find that al Qaeda members in Afghanistan are supporting operations that threaten the US or its allies,” Sanner said.

“ISIS-K now poses an internal Afghan threat, to the Taliban and to sectarian stability given ISIS-K’s focus on killing Shias, but there is some reasonable concern that ISIS-K could ultimately turn its sights on external plotting if the Taliban is unable to contain them.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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Top United States officials have reportedly had an in-person meeting with the Taliban in the Qatari capital of Doha. According to CNN, this was the first meeting of US officials with the Taliban since the killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul in late July.

Top United States officials have reportedly had an in-person meeting with the Taliban in the Qatari capital of Doha. According to CNN, this was the first meeting of US officials with the Taliban since the killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul in late July. The meeting that took place on Saturday saw the presence of CIA’s deputy director and the top State Department official responsible for Afghanistan and Taliban’s head of intelligence, Abdul Haq Wasiq, two officials familiar with the development told CNN. “The presence of CIA Deputy Director David Cohen and the Taliban’s Abdul Haq Wasiq at the meeting on Saturday indicates an emphasis on counterterrorism,” the report said. The meeting comes after the White House last month termed cooperation with the Taliban on counterterrorism as “a work in progress.” Zawahiri was killed in a drone strike in Kabul. He was found to be residing in a safe house that had ties to the deputy leader of the Taliban. US officials had claimed that the home belonged to an aide of Sirajuddin Haqqani, a top deputy of the Taliban's supreme leader Mullah Haibatallah Akhundzada. While the Taliban had angrily condemned the operation, the US officials accused the militant group of knowing about Zawahiri’s whereabouts. The meeting on counterterrorism comes at a time when Afghanistan is facing an insurgency from the Islamic State offshoot, called ISIS-K, and has witnessed blasts and attacks. Also read | China responds angrily after US announces chip export restrictions Beth Sanner, a former Deputy Director of National Intelligence who led Afghanistan analysis at the CIA, told CNN, “The Taliban are struggling to prevent ISIS-K attacks, making them look feckless, particularly in Kabul." Also read | Iranian state TV hacked during live broadcast with anti-regime message “[Cohen] is likely to deliver a firm message that we will conduct more strikes as we did against Zawahiri if we find that al Qaeda members in Afghanistan are supporting operations that threaten the US or its allies,” Sanner said. “ISIS-K now poses an internal Afghan threat, to the Taliban and to sectarian stability given ISIS-K’s focus on killing Shias, but there is some reasonable concern that ISIS-K could ultimately turn its sights on external plotting if the Taliban is unable to contain them.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US officials hold first in-person meet with Taliban months after Zawahiri’s killing: Report

The Islamic State of Khorasan (ISIS-K), also known as Daesh-Khorasan in Afghanistan, has announced that its uncompromising goal remains unchanged.

ISIS-K warned that anybody who went against Islam or opposed the Quran would face the terror group's wrath, referring to the aim as the adoption of Sharia rules.&nbsp; 
 
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According to an ISIS Khorasan (ISIS-K) member in Afghanistan, the group's goal is to destroy Pakistan. 
 
According to reports, Nazifullah, an ISIS-K member, blamed Pakistan for all that is going on in Afghanistan.

For ISIS-K, which seeks to establish a presence in Afghanistan, the Taliban is an opponent.&nbsp; 
 
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"Our first target is to destroy Pakistan because the main reason for everything in Afghanistan is Pakistan. When the Taliban were here (even as the previous government still reigned), they said that we controlled 80 per cent of the country, but they were not implementing Islamic rulings. That's why we stood up and started (ISIS-K) over here in this area, " knewz quoted Nazifullah, a member of ISIS-K, as saying.

According to him, Afghanistan has gone from bad to worse since the Taliban, whom he accuses of "destroying the country" took the helm some two-and-a-half months ago.

"We want to implement Shariah Law. We want to implement the way our Prophet was living, the way he was clothed, the dressing hijab was there. Currently, we don't have much to fight. But if you give me anything, I am going to fight Pakistan now," knewz quoted Nazifullah as saying.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Islamic State of Khorasan (ISIS-K), also known as Daesh-Khorasan in Afghanistan, has announced that its uncompromising goal remains unchanged. ISIS-K warned that anybody who went against Islam or opposed the Quran would face the terror group's wrath, referring to the aim as the adoption of Sharia rules.

The Islamic State of Khorasan (ISIS-K), also known as Daesh-Khorasan in Afghanistan, has announced that its uncompromising goal remains unchanged. ISIS-K warned that anybody who went against Islam or opposed the Quran would face the terror group's wrath, referring to the aim as the adoption of Sharia rules. Also read | ISIS-K could have the capability to attack the US within '6-12 months': Pentagon According to an ISIS Khorasan (ISIS-K) member in Afghanistan, the group's goal is to destroy Pakistan. According to reports, Nazifullah, an ISIS-K member, blamed Pakistan for all that is going on in Afghanistan. For ISIS-K, which seeks to establish a presence in Afghanistan, the Taliban is an opponent. Also read | Powerful blast and gunfire heard near National military hospital in Kabul: Report "Our first target is to destroy Pakistan because the main reason for everything in Afghanistan is Pakistan. When the Taliban were here (even as the previous government still reigned), they said that we controlled 80 per cent of the country, but they were not implementing Islamic rulings. That's why we stood up and started (ISIS-K) over here in this area, " knewz quoted Nazifullah, a member of ISIS-K, as saying. According to him, Afghanistan has gone from bad to worse since the Taliban, whom he accuses of "destroying the country" took the helm some two-and-a-half months ago. "We want to implement Shariah Law. We want to implement the way our Prophet was living, the way he was clothed, the dressing hijab was there. Currently, we don't have much to fight. But if you give me anything, I am going to fight Pakistan now," knewz quoted Nazifullah as saying. (With inputs from agencies)

First target is to destroy Pakistan: ISIS-K blames Islamabad for Afghanistan chaos

Reports say the Taliban have launched an operation to defeat the ISIS-K terrorists. Why is it so important for the Taliban to fight another terror group? Can the Taliban even afford to fight ISIS? Know in this video.

Taliban launches offensive operation to defeat ISIS-K, a regional affiliate of Islamic State Group