Speaking at the IISS Manama Dialogue which was organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Bahrain on 4–6 December, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the high level of violence in Afghanistan is unacceptable amid peace efforts in Doha.
His comments came two days after Afghan government and Taliban negotiators reached a breakthrough deal on procedural rules in Doha to advance peace talks aimed at ending decades-long war in Afghanistan.
Secretary of State added that during his visit to Doha on November, he had told both warring sides to reduce hostility.
“I made clear to them that the violence levels can’t continue while these negotiations go on and it won’t work,” Mr. Pompeo said.
“We’ve asked all of them to stand back and indeed stand down in that respect,” he said, hoping that the sides can begin to address some of the “front end” issues, including a nationwide ceasefire.
The intra-Afghan peace negotiations were set to begin on March 10 but delayed over disputes on some controversial issues, including prisoner swaps and procedural rules.
The country gripped with decades-long war is still witnessing high levels of violence amid peace efforts negotiators from the government and the Taliban have been putting at the negotiating table.
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