- publish: 30 July 2015
- time: 9:35 am
- category: Excerpted
- No: 434
We are unaware of any peace talks with Afghan government
The Taliban Thursday rejected reports of any fresh round of peace talks expected this week with the Afghan government, while making no comment on Kabul’s reported death of their leader Mullah Omar.
“Media outlets are circulating reports that peace talks will take place very soon… either in the country of China or Pakistan,” the Taliban said in an English-language statement posted on their website.
“(Our) political office… are not aware of any such process.”
The statement marked the first comment from the group waging an almost 14-year insurgency in Afghanistan since Kabul on Wednesday reported that Mullah Omar died two years ago in Pakistan, citing “credible information”.
According to the reports, the leadership of the Taliban group is divided on whether to talk or continue fighting, and it is unclear whether those who are negotiating would be able to enforce any cease-fire.