AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Taliban militants killed at least 14 members of a pro-government militia in Afghanistan on Wednesday, said officials, as Taliban and U.S. officials near a deal aimed at ending the 18-year war.
Government officials said 14 members of the militia were killed and several civilians were wounded during clashes in the western province of Herat.
Abdul Ahad Walizada, a spokesman for Herat police, said the 14 were killed after a large number of Taliban militants stormed security checkpoints in the Chahardara area.
“At least nine others are wounded in the clashes and the Taliban militants were pushed back after Afghan forces reinforced the area,” said Walizada.
Taliban officials were not immediately available for a comment.
U.S. and Taliban officials are said to be nearing an agreement, after months of negotiations, under which the United States would start to withdraw troops from Afghanistan in exchange for Taliban pledges not to allow the country to be used by international militants plotting attacks abroad.
The Taliban on Wednesday said they are set to reach a “final agreement” with the United States to end 18 years of war in Afghanistan.
It is not clear if the agreement will include a ceasefire between the Taliban and forces of the U.S.-backed government, or if the Taliban will promise to open power-sharing talks with the government.
This week, Taliban fmilitants killed nine pro-government militia members, including a district commander, Baz Mohammad, in the Jawzjan province in the north, officials said.
The commander’s son is a member of the Taliban in the area, said a relative who is also a provincial council member.
Eight Taliban militants were also killed in the clashes.
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source : Reuters
Wednesday
28 August 2019
1:45:00 PM
972407
Taliban militants killed at least 14 members of a pro-government militia in Afghanistan on Wednesday, said officials, as Taliban and U.S. officials near a deal aimed at ending the 18-year war.