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The landmine explosion occurred hours before Taliban leaders and UN officials met in Qatar to discuss the peace process in Afghanistan.
Local government officials said on Sunday that at least 11 civilians in northern Afghanistan were killed when vehicles exploded landmines and accused the Taliban of planting bombs on the roadside.
Husamudim Shams, governor of the northern province of Bagges, said the victims of Saturday’s bombing included three children.
He said that the 11 passengers were heading to Qala-e-Naw City when they were killed.
So far, no organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.
It happened hours before senior Taliban leaders and UN officials met in Qatar on Saturday to discuss the Afghan peace process, the safety of diplomats and staff working for Afghan humanitarian agencies.
A Taliban spokesperson issued a statement on Twitter saying that Sher Mohamed Abbas Stanekzai, deputy director of the Taliban Political Office, “reaffirmed his firm commitment to the peace process in Afghanistan in a meeting with UN officials.”
Although the Taliban delegation guarantees safety to all relevant UN agency staff and other diplomats in Afghanistan, Afghan officials accuse the Taliban of continuously inflicting violence against government forces and civilians in order to seize complete territorial control over several provinces.
In a 22-page report submitted to the UN Security Council on Friday, a panel of experts stated that the Taliban reportedly responded to the vast majority of attacks against members of security forces, judges, government officials, civil society activists, and journalists. responsible for. In recent months.
The team stated that the attacks “seem to be aimed at weakening the government’s capabilities and intimidating civil society”.
It added that the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces before September 11, the anniversary of the attack on the United States in 2001, “will challenge Afghanistan by reducing drones, radar and surveillance capabilities, and reducing logistical support and artillery to restrict air operations. The army and training are interrupted”.
Despite efforts to find peace, nearly 1,800 Afghan civilians were killed or injured in the fighting between government forces and Taliban fighters in the first three months of 2021.
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