Taliban splinter group, govt reps meet in Turkey

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Turkey is hosting peace parleys between a splinter group of the Afghan Taliban and the government, says a former Taliban minister.

A Pakistani newspaper quoted the unnamed ex-Taliban minister as saying the Hezb-i-Islami (Hekmatyar Group) has played a key role in mediation between the two sides.

Led by Mullah Islamic Emirate. However, the talks will not have any significant effect on the security situation in the country.

But Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, when approached by Daily Times, declined commenting on the development.

As part of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission (RSM), Turkey has 558 soldiers in Afghanistan.

The Taliban faction and High Peace Council representatives are said have held several rounds of negotiations. Another round will take place in the coming days in Istanbul.

At the talks, Mullah Abdul Rauf and Maulvi Abdul Haleem are leading the Taliban breakaway faction while Abdul Baseer is heading the HPC.

Hamyoon Jareer, son-in-law of Hekmatyar, and Feroz, Hekmatyar's nephew, are among the mediatirs, according to the new report.

Arrested in March 2016 after fleeing infighting in Zabul province, Rasool is still in Pakistan's custody. The splinter lost powerful commanders Mansoor Dadullah last year in internal fighting.

In a week from now, representatives from 50 countries and international organisations will attend the International Contact Group’s meeting in Moscow.

At the October 11 meeting, participants will confer on the Afghan-led peace process and talks with the Taliban, according to Russia’s foreign ministry.  

UN Special Representative for Afghanistan Tadamichi Yamamoto recently said Russia could play a vital role in supporting peace efforts in the region.

“Russia is a very important partner and player in efforts to peace internationally. And we certainly look to Russia to play very constructive role.

"They can play constructive role and they have the intention to play constructive role. And we hope that the efforts shall be very very fruitful to the international effort,” Yamamoto told reporters in Kabul. 

PAN Monitor/mud