Taliban again reject Afghan offer of peace talks with Kabul

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban have again rejected an Afghan offer for peace talks with the government in Kabul.

Friday’s statement by the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says the insurgents “are not interested in talks while foreign soldiers are still on Afghan soil.”

RELATED

Taliban reject US commander’s statement on peace talks

The Taliban say they “categorically reject” a statement made this week by the U.S. commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan about “off stage” contacts and dialogue taking place between the Kabul government and the insurgents.

Mujahid referred to last month’s statement by the Afghan High Peace Council, a government body tasked with negotiating an end to the nearly 17-year war with the insurgents, which had called on the Taliban to join the peace process.

Mujahid also repeated long-standing Taliban claims that Afghan government officials are “puppets.”

RELATED

Ceasefire over, US-led coalition downplays Taliban attack that killed up to 30 Afghan soldiers

Lt. Gen. Richard Cripwell shot down the idea that the Taliban used the Eid ceasefire as an opportunity to gather military intelligence and scout future targets.

By Noah Nash

Taliban leaders have at times expressed interest in holding peace talks but they have refused to meet with the U.S.-backed government, saying they will only negotiate with the United States directly about the withdrawal of all foreign forces.

In Other News

VA expects 30K voluntary job cuts by October, erasing need for layoffs

More than 17,000 Veterans Affairs jobs have been eliminated or vacated since the start of the year.

No ‘significant’ mover capacity problems expected for troops, DOD says

The DOD says a new task force is "fully engaged" in overseeing the process of troops' household goods moves during this peak season.

Lawmaker proposes Iranian Campaign Medal for strikes on nuclear sites

Pilots and supporting service members involved in the complex airstrikes would be eligible for the new military medal.

House passes $435 billion spending plan for VA in fiscal 2026

Republicans approved plans for an 18% boost in total Veterans Affairs spending next year, but the measure is far from becoming law.

Advocates recruit vets to attend Afghan allies’ immigration hearings

The effort is designed to show support for legal immigration of more Afghans who worked alongside American forces during the war overseas.

Load More