AP, Kabul :
The Afghan Taliban, who have been fighting to topple the Kabul government for almost 14 years, said on Thursday they are “not aware” of a new round of peace talks due the following day in Pakistan – a statement indicating the group may be pulling out of the negotiations.
The apparent rejection of the talks comes a day after Kabul announced the death of the Taliban’s reclusive leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, but it was not immediately clear if the two developments were connected.
The Afghan intelligence service asserted Wednesday that Mullah Omar died in a Karachi hospital more than two years ago. In Washington, the U.S. government said they considered the report of the Taliban leader’s death credible, though it was not confirmed by the Taliban or Pakistan.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s office said Mullah Omar’s death would strengthen conditions for the peace process, which has been his priority since he took office last year.
The Afghan Taliban, who have been fighting to topple the Kabul government for almost 14 years, said on Thursday they are “not aware” of a new round of peace talks due the following day in Pakistan – a statement indicating the group may be pulling out of the negotiations.
The apparent rejection of the talks comes a day after Kabul announced the death of the Taliban’s reclusive leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, but it was not immediately clear if the two developments were connected.
The Afghan intelligence service asserted Wednesday that Mullah Omar died in a Karachi hospital more than two years ago. In Washington, the U.S. government said they considered the report of the Taliban leader’s death credible, though it was not confirmed by the Taliban or Pakistan.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s office said Mullah Omar’s death would strengthen conditions for the peace process, which has been his priority since he took office last year.
