The attack in Kabul, claimed by Islamic State militants, also wounded 31 people. The assault came as peace talks were underway in Qatar, where Pompeo told Afghan government negotiators that the US will “sit on the side and help where we can” in the negotiations with Taliban militants. Two Taliban officials told The Associated Press that the warring sides have found common ground on which to move forward the stalled talks. Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem tweeted that further prisoner releases were discussed in the meeting, in addition to those that the two sides committed to ahead of peace talks under the US deal. For most Afghans, the overriding concern has been a sharp rise in violence this year and a surge of attacks by the Taliban against Afghanistan’s beleaguered security forces since the start of peace talks in September.

Source: Manila Times November 22, 2020 16:41 UTC