Taliban refuse to attend Afghan talks in Turkey if held this week

Turkey is set to host talks as part of a US-backed push to jumpstart the Afghan peace process.

The Taliban will not attend a meeting on the Afghan peace process in Turkey if it took place this week, the armed group’s spokesman said. Turkey is hosting a crucial meeting this month to be attended by the United Nations and Qatar as part of a United States-backed push to see a peace agreement between Afghanistan’s warring sides finalised. Diplomats and officials briefed on the matter said it was planned to take place over 10 days from April 16, though the date had not been finalised or officially announced.