Afghanistan Frees Nearly 200 Taliban Prisoners to Push Peace Talks

Afghanistan Frees Nearly 200 Taliban Prisoners to Push Peace Talks
Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani speaks during a consultative grand assembly, known as Loya Jirga, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 7, 2020. Courtesy of Afghan Presidential Palace/Handout via Reuters
Reuters
Updated:

KABUL—Afghanistan has freed nearly 200 Taliban prisoners to spur long-delayed peace talks, as a team of negotiators readies to fly this week to Qatar’s capital, Afghan officials said on Wednesday.

The prisoners formed part of a group of 400 jailed “hardcore” Islamist separatists whose stalled release had appeared set to delay talks between the government and the insurgent group to end nearly two decades of war.