KABUL (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 05th April, 2020) The Taliban are committed to a peace deal signed with the United States, but the Afghan government is failing to implement an agreed-upon ceasefire that will lead to the beginning of intra-Afghan talks, the organization said in a statement on Sunday.
In the statement, the Taliban said that they are prepared to negotiate with the Afghan government to reach lasting peace in the country, but cited Kabul's continued attacks on the group in the country's rural settlements and failure to release prisoners belonging to the organization. The Taliban have also stopped carrying out attacks in major cities, the group stated.
"We have not carried out attacks in major cities; only rural checkpoints have been attacked, a significant reduction compared to last year," the statement read.
The Taliban also cited alleged US violations of the peace deal, including night attacks by US and NATO forces in several locations, drone strikes and bombings on civilian settlements. The organization urged the US to implement its side of the peace deal.
On February 29, the US and the Taliban signed a peace agreement in the Qatari capital of Doha after a week-long commitment to reduce violence held.
The deal stated that talks between the Taliban and Afghan government would begin on March 10, although this deadline has passed due to the country's electoral crisis and both sides disagreeing on the release of Taliban prisoners.
