Afghan Peace talks begin

Historic peace talks have now began with the USA, Taliban and Afghan government in Doha, Qatar. it takes place 19 years since 9/11 attacks which marked the beginning of the war in Afghanistan.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompey called the meeting "historic" as he flew to Doha for the opening ceremony.

The talks were due to start after a US-Taliban security deal in February.

But disagreements over a controversial prisoner swap stalled the next stage, as did violence in Afghanistan, where four decades of war are at a stalemate.

the talks were already 6 months behind, however discussion have begun and only soon there would likely be a deal between US and Taliban.

What was in February's deal?

The US and its NATO allies agreed to withdraw all troops within 14 months, while the Taliban committed not to allow AL-Qaeda or any other extremist group to operate in the areas they control.

The US also agreed to lift sanctions against the Taliban and work with the UN to lift its separate sanctions against the group, as well as cutting its troop numbers in the country from about 12,000 to 8,600 and closing several bases.

US-led troops have been present in Afghanistan for nearly two decades, after launching air strikes to oust the Taliban in 2001 following the deadly 9/11 al-Qaeda attacks in New York. The Taliban, who protected al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, had refused to hand him over.

-BBC

it is now one of numerous peace talks and diplomatic agreements occurring this year, including the UAE, Israel Abraham accords.

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