Pompeo urges Afghan parties to reduce violence

US would continue to press all sides to stop posturing, start a practical discussion about prisoner releases and prepare for the upcoming intra-Afghan negotiations.

Washington:US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the increasing violence in some parts of Afghanistan was unacceptable and urged warring parties to stop posturing before intra-Afghan peace talks begin on March 10.

"The upsurge in violence in parts of Afghanistan over the last couple days is unacceptable," Pompeo said at a State Department briefing on Thursday, adding that violence must be reduced immediately for the peace process to move forward.

Pompeo also noted that the US would continue to press all sides to stop posturing, start a practical discussion about prisoner releases and prepare for the upcoming intra-Afghan negotiations.

On February 29, Taliban's political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad signed the historic peace deal in Doha, Qatar.

But the violence in the conflict-stricken country broke out again on Monday as the Afghan government has refused to free Taliban prisoners before the intra-Afghan talks begin.

At least 16 people including militants, security personnel and civilians have been killed over the past 24 hours in Afghanistan amid the reported resumption of fighting by the Taliban fighters, Afghan officials said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the US forces in Afghanistan conducted an airstrike targeting Taliban militants in Helmand province, the first raid after the deal was signed.

The raid came hours after US President Donald Trump spoke with Baradar which he described as a good conversation.

(With inputs from IANS)