Taliban Spring Offensive Draws U.S. Ire Amid Peace Efforts
- Insurgents have stepped up attacks across war-torn country
- Afghans due to hold peace dialogue with Taliban on April 19
Afghans watch a civilian vehicle burnt after being shot by US forces after an attack near the Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, April 9.
Photographer: Rahmat Gul/APThis article is for subscribers only.
The U.S. and Afghan governments condemned the Taliban’s launch of a new spring offensive in Afghanistan as the world’s biggest military power continues to pursue peace talks with militants in the war-torn country.
Calling the Taliban move “reckless,” U.S. Special Envoy on Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad said on Twitter that the insurgents demonstrated their “indifference” to the peace demands of the Afghan people. The U.S. and its allies will stand with Afghan forces to end the country’s 18 years of war, he said, urging Pakistan, Qatar and other nations to join in condemning the latest militant actions.