Khalilzad says 1st Phase of Doha Deal Completed, Condemned Bloody Samangan Attack

US Special Envoy on Afghan peace process Zalmay Khalilzad condemned Monday’s Taliban attack in Samangan province, and announced the end of first phase of Doha peace deal.

US Special Envoy on Afghan peace process Zalmay Khalilzad condemned Monday’s Taliban attack in Samangan province, and announced the end of first phase of Doha peace deal.
Mr Khalilzad twitted that Taliban’s attack in provincial capital is unacceptable and will only strengthen the stance of spoilers in the peace process.
On the first phase of Doha agreement, Khalilzad said: “We have reached day 135, a key milestone in implementation of the U.S.-Taliban Agreement. The U.S. has worked hard to carry out the 1st phase of its commitments under the Agreement, including to reduce forces and depart five bases”.

According to him, NATO troops have also come down in proportional numbers
He condemned Taliban’s attack on NDS of Samangan province, saying “the use of major explosives to detonate a vehicle in a provincial capital is unacceptable and will strengthen those who oppose peace and plays into the hands of spoilers”.
“All sides must reduce violence,” he emphasized.

US envoy continued that as they look to the next phase of implementation under the Agreement, US approach will remain conditions based.
“We will press for completion of prisoner releases, reduction of violence, complete delivery on CT commitments and start of and progress in intra-Afghan negotiations,” he added.

This comes as at least 11 people were killed and over 60 were injured in Taliban’s Monday attack on NDS of Samangar province.