US Afghan peace envoy to travel to Afghanistan, Qatar

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy to end the war in Afghanistan will travel to the war-torn country and Qatar to resume peace talks with the Afghan government and the Taliban, respectively, the State Department announced Tuesday.

Zalmay Khalilzad will depart Aug. 20 to continue conversations with the Taliban in Doha "as part of an overall effort to facilitate a peace process that ends the conflict in Afghanistan," the agency said.

In Kabul, Khalizad will consult Afghan officials "on the peace process and encourage full preparation for intra-Afghan negotiations," it added.

Afghanistan has been reeling from a spate of recent attacks blamed on Daesh and the Taliban.

At least 12 civilians were killed in northern Afghanistan in a roadside bombing Sunday that was blamed on the Taliban. The attack took place hours after more than 60 people were killed and nearly 200 injured in a suicide attack on a wedding in Kabul.

Daesh's local chapter claimed responsibility for the grisly carnage.

The last round of peace talks with the Taliban concluded last week after lasting for more than a week. Khalizad said the sides addressed "technical details" at the conclusion of talks he termed "productive."