The first talks with the Taliban were open and professional

Talks between US officials and the Taliban took place in Doha over the weekend. These were the first talks between the two sides since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. The US State Department said the talks were open and professional.

As Ned State Price spokesman for the State Department explained, the talks focused on security, terrorism concerns, human rights, and opportunities for US citizens, other foreigners and US Afghan partners to leave Afghanistan safely.

U.S. officials have reiterated that the Taliban will be judged by deeds, not just words. The Taliban have demanded in the talks that the United States allow the Taliban access to Afghan funds, as well as the humanitarian aid that the US delegation has promised to consider.

Meanwhile, the United States and Britain on Monday warned their citizens to stay away from hotels in the Afghan capital, Kabul. The states point to security threats and highlight in particular Kabul’s most popular luxury hotel, Serena, which has twice been attacked by extremists in the past.

CONTEXT:

US and international coalition forces in late August completed a nearly 20-year mission In Afghanistan. The American withdrawal was taken advantage of by the Islamic fundamentalist group Taliban, which took control of more and more areas of Afghanistan and in mid-August without a fight. also occupied the national capital Kabul. As a result, all of Afghanistan is back under Taliban control.

Although the Taliban promised that will not try to take revenge on opponents of the regime, the international community is concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan and new restrictionsimposed on different groups in society, especially women.

–