Taliban Say Have No Intention to End Hostilities Before Intra-Afghan Talks

KABUL (Sputnik) - The Taliban* are not going to stop hostilities before intra-Afghan talks, viewing any calls for a ceasefire in absence of negotiations as "illogical," the radical movement's spokesman said on Sunday.

"Our stance: Implementation of Doha Agreement & start of intra-Afghan negotiations are necessary so we can work towards de-escalation & end of the war. If anyone seeks ceasefire before talks then such is illogical. War is raging precisely b/c we have yet to find an alternative", Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on Twitter.

He accused the government of creating "obstacles" to negotiations.

"The prisoner exchange process must be completed and intra-Afghan negotiations launched immediately. This is the most correct and reasonable path towards a resolution", the spokesman added.

Members of the Taliban handover their weapons and join in the Afghan government's reconciliation and reintegration program in Jalalabad, Afghanistan June 25, 2020.

© REUTERS / Parwiz Parwiz

Earlier in the day, Afghan presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi urged the Taliban to stop violence and genuinely join a peace process.

Though the United States and the Taliban struck their long-awaited peace deal in late February, clashes between the government forces and the radical movement continue. Direct intra-Afghan talks were initially scheduled to commence in March but were pushed back due to disagreements over the mutual release of prisoners.

* Taliban is a radical movement, banned in Russia