Afghan forces, Taliban clash as Doha peace talks continue

Peace talks between Afghan government and the Taliban were held for the 2nd day, but reports of ongoing violent clashes back in Afghanistan are stark reminder of obstacles ahead.

According to Press TV, the peace talks resumed Sunday in the Qatari capital Doha, where the Taliban have a representative office.

The talks are expected to tackle thorny issues, including a permanent cease-fire, the rights of women and minorities, and the disarming of tens of thousands of Taliban militants and militias loyal to warlords.

Constitutional changes and power sharing are expected to be on the agenda as well.

Abdullah Abdullah, the country's former chief executive officer who is heading the Afghan negotiating team, earlier said that achieving a significant reduction in violence, and a permanent ceasefire would be among the first issues in Sunday talks.

He said the Taliban could offer a truce in exchange for the release of more of their jailed militants.

"This could be one of their ideas or one of their demands," said Abdullah, who also heads Afghanistan's peace council.

The first day included a formal ceremony and efforts to agree on a framework of the first direct negotiations between the two sides since a deal clinched between the United States and the militant group earlier this year.

At a ceremony opening the talks on Saturday, the Afghan government called for a ceasefire, but the Taliban did not mention a truce as they came to the negotiating table.

Diplomats and delegates warned during the opening ceremony that the negotiations will be arduous and messy.

Afghan forces, Taliban continue to clash amid talks

The Afghan Defense Ministry said that Taliban and the government forces were still fighting in many places across the war-ravaged country.

"With the start of intra-Afghan talks, we were expecting the Taliban to reduce the number of their attacks, but unfortunately their attacks are still going in high numbers," Fawad Aman, a spokesman for the Afghan Defense Ministry said.

"We don't have exact information about the Taliban attacks on Saturday, but I can say the number of attacks has increased instead of decreased.”

Local Afghan officials said Sunday at least six police were killed in a Taliban attack in Kunduz overnight, while five officers were slain in another attack in Kapisa province.

A roadside mine blast in the capital Kabul also wounded two civilians, while another explosion in Kabul district resulted in no casualties.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that the militant group attacked a convoy of Afghan forces that had arrived to launch an anti-terror operation along a key highway in Kunduz.

He added that security forces carried out air and artillery strikes on Saturday night in the provinces of Baghlan and Jowzjan.

SS