US officials take 'brief pause' from Taliban talks after attack on American base
- 13 Dec 2019
Zalmay Khalilzad speaks during a debate at Tolo TV channel in Kabul, Afghanistan. File photo/ Reuters
US Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said on Friday his team was taking “a brief pause” from talks with the Taliban after an attack on a crucial US base this week.
Khalilzad had renewed talks with Taliban negotiators earlier this month on steps that could lead to a ceasefire and a settlement of the 18-year-long war in Afghanistan. But Taliban suicide bombers targeted a key US military base on Wednesday. The attack on Bagram base killed two civilians and wounded more than 70 others.
“I met Talibs today, I expressed outrage about attack on Bagram,” Khalilzad wrote on Twitter, adding “we’re taking a brief pause for them to consult their leadership on this essential topic.”
Reuters