The U.S./Taliban negotiations ended today, and both sides have released statements. Here is the Taliban's:

Remarks by spokesman of Islamic Emirate regarding conclusion of latest round of talks

Talks that began with the United States on the 25^th of February 2019 came to an end today, 12^th March 2019.

This round of talks saw extensive and detailed discussions taking place regarding two issues that were agreed upon during January talks. Those two issues were the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan and preventing anyone from harming others from Afghan soil; how and when will all foreign forces exit Afghanistan and through what method? Similarly, how will the United States and her allies be given assurances about future Afghanistan?

Progress was achieved regarding both these issues. For now, both sides will deliberate over the achieved progress, share it with their respective leaderships and prepare for the upcoming meeting, the date of which shall be set by both negotiation teams.

It should be mentioned that no agreement was reached regarding a ceasefire and talks with the Kabul administration, nor were other issues made a part of the current agenda. Reports by some media outlets in this regard are baseless.

Spokesman of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Zabihullah Mujahid

U.S., Taliban Talks End for Now With No Afghan Peace Deal

By Reuters

March 12, 2019

DOHA — U.S. and Taliban negotiators wrapped up their longest round of consecutive peace talks on Tuesday with progress made but no agreement on when foreign troops might withdraw, officials from both sides said.

The 16 days of talks, in which the United States also sought assurances that the Taliban would not allow militant groups to use Afghanistan to stage attacks, are expected to resume in late March.

The negotiations in Doha, Qatar included the Taliban's political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and a U.S. team led by special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

Khalilzad, the Afghan-born U.S. diplomat, said the sides made progress on discussions about counter-terrorism assurances and a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

"The conditions for peace have improved. It’s clear all sides want to end the war. Despite ups and downs, we kept things on track and made real strides," Khalilzad said on Twitter.

The Taliban have held multiple rounds of peace talks with the American team led by Khalilzad but have so far rejected the offer to discuss the issue with the Afghan government.

"When the agreement in draft about a withdrawal timeline and effective counter-terrorism measures is finalized, the Taliban and other Afghans, including the government, will begin intra-Afghan negotiations on a political settlement and comprehensive ceasefire," Khalilzad said.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the sides made progress on the issues of withdrawing foreign forces and preventing future attacks on other countries from Afghanistan. But, in a statement, he stressed that no agreement was reached on a ceasefire or talks with the Afghan government.

A spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani tweeted that he hoped to see a long-term ceasefire agreement and the start of direct talks between the government and Taliban soon.

The talks were held in a closed-off banquet hall at the five-star Ritz-Carlton seaside hotel on the southern end of Doha.

Khalilzad said he would return to Washington to brief U.S. and international officials.

Talks ended on a day in which Taliban insurgents stepped up pressure on the battlefield, killing 20 Afghan soldiers and capturing another 20 in western Afghanistan. In another province, officials said an air strike killed both Taliban and civilians.

About 14,000 U.S. troops are based in Afghanistan as part of a U.S.-led NATO mission to train, assist and advise Afghan forces. Some U.S. forces carry out counter-terrorism operations.

The United States has also been pushing the Taliban to agree to a ceasefire and to talk with Afghanistan's government, which the militant group considers a U.S. puppet regime.

"The U.S. officials were pressing the Taliban to declare a ceasefire, but our leaders were clear that a ceasefire can only be announced after the foreign force withdrawal announcement is made," said a senior Taliban commander privy to the talks.

RC: This what the Taliban said about the U.S./Afghan strike that killed civilians. 

US invaders again target civilians in Ghazni, martyr and injure 18

In continuing cycle of war crimes, the American invaders targeted civilians with airstrikes this morning at 09:00 am local time in Sher Kala area of Shilgar (Andar) district, Ghazni province.

The initial strike targeted a mini-van ferrying locals to Ghazni city, martyring all 8 passengers aboard.

As nearby people rushed from their homes to help the victims, another airstrike hit the rescuers resulting in 4 more civilians martyred and 6 wounded.

But overall, sadly, there is NOTHING to celebrate here. No real progress has been made. They want us out by the end of this year, and that is not unreasonable because it is only a matter of 14,000 troops. We want several years to get out, but that can't be justified on any practical basis. And the Taliban is NEVER going to go for it; they are NEVER going to agree to a ceasefire unless we commit to getting out in months, not years.

And there is no sign that the Taliban is ever going to agree to recognize and cooperate with the current Afghan government. They are adamant that they won't do it, and they are just as adamant about it today as they were before the talks began. 

We are such dreamers to think that there is going to be a marriage between the Taliban and the current government. That is what we want. That is our pipe dream. It is our delusion. The ONLY hope for it is if the Afghan government fades away in all but name. This is how it could happen:

 Preaching and Guidance: 671 Kabul administration workers joined Islamic Emirate in February 2019

Over the course of the month of February 2019, the efforts of Preaching, Guidance and Recruitment Commission of Islamic Emirate in all provinces of the country resulted in in 671 personnel working in various posts of the Kabul based administration left the corrupt regime and joined up with the Islamic Emirate.

They also brought in various type weaponry, communication radios and other military equipment with them.

The countrymen who joined the Mujahideen vowed to break all ties with the foreign and internal enemies of Islam and homeland and strengthen our people and Mujahideen in order to cleanse the country from occupation and corruption and establish a pure Islamic government acceptable to all Afghans.

The officials of Preaching, Guidance and Recruitment Commission welcomed them, gave them gifts and prizes and considered their move a beneficial step for Afghanistan.

RC: If enough Afghan government workers and officials repatriate to the Taliban, and the rest, who don't want to, just scatter, it may become a moot point. Maybe the janitor can stick around for a photo-op with the head of the Taliban, offering his pledge to work hard, and cooperatively, in pursuit of clean government.