The bloods­hed came as the US pushes for a peace settle­ment with the Taliba­nUNITED NATIONS, UNITED STATES: The United Nations Security Council condemned Afghanistan’s Taliban on Monday for announcing a spring offensive and called on all parties to instead seize the opportunity to begin talks. In a unanimous statement, the council said the Taliban’s announcement will “only result in more unnecessary suffering and destruction for the Afghan people.”The Taliban launched attacks near the northern city of Kunduz and in Kabul on Saturday, hours after announcing the start of the spring offensive. At least nine people were killed and scores wounded in those attacks, according to Afghan officials. The bloodshed came as the US pushes for a peace settlement with the Taliban, and ahead of a new round of talks expected to take place in Qatar later this month. US officials have already met several times with the Taliban and further talks are expected in the Qatari capital Doha later this month that would include Afghan political leaders.

Source: The Express Tribune April 16, 2019 12:56 UTC