KABUL – Amid the deadly clashes between the Afghan armed forces and Talibanfighters in the war-torn country, the supreme leader of the TalibanHibatullah Akhundzada said he ‘strenuously favours’ a political settlementto the ongoing conflict.
Soon after a senior delegation of the Afghan government and Talibanrepresentatives met in Doha for high-stakes negotiations, the chief ofinsurgents released a message ahead of Eid Ul-Adha. “In spite of themilitary gains and advances, the Islamic Emirate strenuously favors apolitical settlement in the country”, it stated.
Akhundzada further added that “Every opportunity for the establishment ofan Islamic system, peace and security that presents itself will be made useof by the Islamic Emirate.”
Committing to play a constructive role in war rages state, the top Talibanleader added his group remained committed to forging a solution to end thewar but ‘slammed the opposition parties for wasting time.’
“Let us resolve our issues among ourselves and rescue our homeland from theprevailing crisis instead of relying on foreigners”, the statement furtheradded.
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Earlier, a senior delegation comprised of several high-ranking officials,including former chief executive Abdullah Abdullah participated in thenegotiation talks. They were joined by negotiators from the Taliban’spolitical office in Doha. After the hour-long session, talks would resumetoday.
Meanwhile, Taliban fighters have capitalised on the last stages of thewithdrawal of US and other foreign troops from Afghanistan to launch aseries of lightning offensives across large swathes of the South Asiancountry and are now believed to control roughly half of the nation´s 400districts.
Afghan officials and insurgents are saying that dialogue is the only wayforward but actions on the ground speak a very different language.
