Taliban Rejects U.S. Cease-Fire Plan After Killing Afghan Troops

Afghan army soldiers take part in a military operation against Taliban militants in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan, on Dec. 25.

Photographer: Ajmal Kakar/Xinhua via Getty Images

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The Taliban said it won’t accept a nationwide cease-fire proposed by the U.S. government, hours after the militant group killed at least 14 Afghan soldiers.

“The Islamic Emirate has no intention of declaring a cease-fire,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed said in a text message on Tuesday, using the militant group’s title for Afghanistan. “The United States has asked for a reduction in the scale and intensity of violence and discussions being held by the Islamic Emirate are revolving solely around this specific issue.”