The Taliban launched a new large-scale attack on one of Afghanistan’s main cities, Kunduz, killing at least three civilians, government officials said Saturday, even as the insurgent group continued negotiations with the United States on ending America’s longest war.
The militants, who have demanded that all foreign forces leave Afghanistan, now control or hold sway over roughly half of the country and are at their strongest since their 2001 defeat by a US-led invasion.
Such attacks are seen as strengthening their negotiating position.
Afghan officials confirmed casualties among security forces but did not say how many, and said at least 26 Taliban members were killed in an airstrike.
They said security forces were repelling the attack in Kunduz, a strategic crossroads with easy access to much of northern Afghanistan as well as the capital, Kabul, about 200 miles (335 kilometers) away.
Presidential spokesman Sediq Seddiqi told reporters the assault was “completely against the peace talks.”