The Taliban has formed a new 20-member department responsible for holding intra-Afghan talks, as well as negotiations with the United States.
Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the militant group's chief negotiator, told RFE/RL on August 26 that he will head the new department, which will be tasked with selecting the location and preparing the agenda for planned intra-Afghan peace talks.
The talks between the Taliban and the internationally backed government in Kabul are part of an earlier agreement reached between the militants and the United States in an effort to end nearly 19 years of war in Afghanistan.
However, the talks have recently been thrown into uncertainty after the Afghan government said it would not release more Taliban prisoners until the militant group freed more of its soldiers.
Stanikzai said the newly formed department is separate from the Doha-based Taliban political office and will be in direct contact with the Taliban leadership. He also said the intra-Afghan talks will be held in different countries.
Taliban Announces New Department For Intra-Afghan Talks
Related
Editors' Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Romanian Village Evacuated After Russian Drone Strikes LPG Ship In Danube
2Zelenskyy Vows Energy Sector Overhaul, Signs Gas Deal With Greece
3Ukrainian Battalion Officer Held After Russian Strike Killed 19 During Ceremony
4Russia Hits Ukraine With Overnight Attack As Fighting Intensifies in Pokrovsk
5Trump And Central Asia Reach Critical Minerals Deal At Washington Summit
6Ukraine's Energy Sector Under Investigation By Anti-Corruption Watchdog
7Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Hungarian Service Ceases Operations
8'Weekend Snipers' Claims Reopen Wartime Trauma In Sarajevo
9Polish PM Tusk Says Railway Explosion 'Act Of Sabotage'
10Tehran Pollution Hits 'Alarming' Level In Latest Environmental Crisis
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.