Ashraf Ghani

Start of Afghan Talks Uncertain as Prisoner Release Stalls

Peace talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban were delayed after international concern over the planned release of 400 insurgents.

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Afghan Authorities Begin Release of ‘Dangerous’ Taliban Prisoners

Afghan authorities have started to release 400 Taliban prisoners, even as President Ashraf Ghani warned they were a "danger to the world."

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Afghan Gathering to Decide Fate of 400 Taliban Prisoners

Thousands of prominent Afghans will gather in Kabul Friday to decide whether to release about 400 Taliban prisoners, including many involved in brutal attacks that killed.

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UN Blames Afghan Forces for Deadly Market Shelling

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan blamed Afghan forces for firing mortar shells that struck a busy market in a southern province and killed at least 23 civilians.

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Blasts at Afghan Market in Helmand Kill 23 Civilians, Wound 15: Officials

Multiple explosions tore through a busy market in southern Afghanistan on Monday, killing at least 23 civilians, officials said, blaming the Taliban for the carnage.

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Taliban Killed 291 Afghan Security Personnel in Past Week: Govt

The Taliban killed at least 291 Afghan security personnel over the past week, a top government official said Monday, accusing the insurgents of unleashing a wave of violence ahead of potential talks.

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Four Killed in Kabul Mosque Blast: Government

At least four people were killed after a blast ripped through a crowd during Friday prayers at a mosque in Kabul, Afghan officials said.

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Afghanistan to Free 900 More Taliban Prisoners

Afghan authorities plan to release 900 more Taliban prisoners Tuesday, as a rare ceasefire by the insurgents entered its third and last day.

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Afghan Govt Frees Taliban Prisoners as Truce Holds for Second Day

Afghan authorities released 100 Taliban prisoners Monday as part of the government's response to a surprise, three-day ceasefire the insurgents called to mark the Eid al-Fitr festival.

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Afghan Forces Repel Taliban Attack on Key City: Officials

Afghan security forces on Tuesday repelled a fierce Taliban attack on Kunduz, officials said, a strategic city in northern Afghanistan that had briefly fallen to the militants twice in the past. Taliban fighters attacked several outposts of Afghan forces on the outskirts of the city at around 1:00 am, triggering fierce fighting, a defense ministry statement said. “With the support of air force their attack was repelled. Eleven Taliban were killed and eight wounded,” it said, adding that the fighting lasted for several hours. Both sides have repeatedly clashed in rural areas in recent months, but an attempt to enter a city like Kunduz is seen as a serious escalation. It follows a declaration by President Ashraf Ghani last week to resume offensive strikes against the insurgents, after a string of brutal attacks. The Taliban responded to the order by vowing to increase attacks against Afghan security forces. During Tuesday’s fighting, the insurgents managed to briefly capture an Afghan army post, killing one soldier, but it was quickly retaken by security forces, Hadi Jamal, an army spokesman in northern Afghanistan told AFP. The Taliban were not immediately available for comment. The insurgent group briefly captured Kunduz, a strategic city not far …

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