Afghan, Pakistani negotiators to strengthen truce in Istanbul after Doha ceasefire
Islamabad has repeatedly accused its Afghan neighbour of ‘harbouring’ groups it views as ‘terrorist’, primarily the Pakistani Taliban, which Kabul denies
Afghan and Pakistani negotiators are to meet in Istanbul on Saturday to address security issues and establish a lasting ceasefire along their shared border after an outbreak of unexpectedly intense bloody clashes.
The confrontation – which resulted in dozens of deaths, among them civilians – began two weeks ago following explosions in central Kabul, which the Taliban government blamed on its Pakistani neighbour, launching a retaliatory offensive at the border.
Vowing a strong response, Islamabad then carried out “precision strikes” against armed groups on Afghan soil which are at the heart of the dispute, security sources said.
After further clashes that left soldiers and civilians dead, both sides declared an initial 48-hour ceasefire which collapsed two days later, with Kabul blaming Islamabad.
A second truce which took shape on Sunday appears to have held following talks in Doha and thanks to mediation by Qatar and Turkey, although the terms of the deal remain unclear.
At Saturday’s talks, negotiators are expected to detail the “mechanisms” for ensuring the return to stability announced in Doha.