The second round of talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government is set to begin tomorrow in the Qatari capital, Doha.
Even before the talks began, a war of words broke out between the United States and the Taliban. The parties are accusing each other of inciting violence. Both sides are accusing each other of violating the peace agreement.
Recently, there has been a new wave of violence in Afghanistan, with attacks on high-ranking government officials escalating.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the United States was carrying out airstrikes on the Taliban in non-military zones and would retaliate if they were not stopped.
Col. Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, dismissed the Taliban's allegations as baseless and said U.S. forces were carrying out attacks in self-defense. He called on the Taliban to stop the violence.
He said the Taliban had stepped up attacks on senior Afghan government officials, civil society representatives, and journalists, which was hampering peace efforts.
Najia Anwari, director of strategic communications at the Afghan Ministry of Peace, said the Afghan government would negotiate with the Taliban in the national interest and with the sentiments of the Afghan people.
