ISLAMABAD: The Taliban on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) ruled out cooperation with the United States to contain extremist groups in Afghanistan, staking out an uncompromising position on a key issue ahead of the first direct talks between the former foes since America withdrew from the country in August.
Senior Taliban officials and US representatives are meeting this weekend in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Officials from both sides have said issues include reining in extremist groups and the evacuation of foreign citizens and Afghans from the country. The Taliban have signaled flexibility on evacuations.
TERRORISM CASUALTIES Relatives and residents pray during a funeral ceremony for victims of a suicide attack at the Gozar-e-
Sayed Abad Mosque in Kunduz, northern Afghanistan on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. The mosque was packed with Shiite Muslim worshipers when an Islamic
State suicide bomber attacked during Friday prayers, killing dozens in the latest security challenge to the Taliban as they transition from insurgency to
governance. AP PHOTO
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