U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said on Friday his team was taking “a brief pause” from talks with the Taliban after an attack on a crucial U.S. base this week.
Mr. Khalilzad had renewed talks with Taliban negotiators earlier this month on steps that could lead to a ceasefire and a settlement of the 18-year-long war in Afghanistan. But Taliban suicide bombers targeted a key U.S. military base on Wednesday. The attack on Bagram base killed two civilians and wounded more than 70 others.
“I met Talibs today, I expressed outrage about attack on Bagram,” Mr. Khalilzad wrote on Twitter, adding “we're taking a brief pause for them to consult their leadership on this essential topic”.
