The Turkey Conference, scheduled for 24 April to fast-track the Afghan Peace Process, was postponed for the second time, reportedly over the refusal by the Taliban to participate in the process.

“The talks have been postponed over issues regarding the preparations,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu without confirming the Taliban’s hesitation in attending the process.

Reuters reported, citing Afghan officials, that the conference was delayed as the Taliban was not ready to participate in it. Earlier also, the group has made it clear that they would not attend any peace conference until the foreign troops remain in Afghanistan.

Last week, the group had accused the US of violating the Doha agreement as the latter failed to withdraw foreign troops by 1 May, a deadline agreed upon by the US under the same deal. However, US President Joe Biden announced the unconditional withdrawal of troops by 11 September.

Ned Price, the spokesperson of the U.S. State Department, said, "We've always been clear, Istanbul was not a replacement for Doha.” He added broader diplomatic efforts will continue. Significantly, the US has earlier thrown its weight behind the Turkey conference after the talks in Doha failed to produce any significant breakthrough.

Meanwhile, fighting in the war-ravaged country has already intensified. (SAM)