Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Afghan Fighting Rages as Prisoner Swap Dispute Remains Unsolved

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - Fresh clashes between government forces and
   Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan have reportedly killed dozens of
   combatants on both sides.

   The deadly Afghan violence rages as disputes over an ongoing prisoner
   swap between the two foes have remained unresolved, hampering U.S.-led
   diplomatic efforts aimed at starting intra-Afghan peace negotiations to
   find a political settlement to the war.

   The Afghan Defense Ministry and police said Tuesday that security
   forces disrupted major overnight Taliban assaults in the southern
   provinces of Kandahar and Zabul, killing nearly 50 insurgents.

   For its part, the Taliban said one of its suicide bombers detonated an
   explosives-laden mini truck near an Afghan National Army convoy Monday
   night in central Wardak province. It claimed the powerful blast "killed
   and injured" about 50 soldiers, though the Taliban often issues
   inflated claims.

   Afghan defense officials confirmed the attack in Sayed Abad district,
   saying it killed eight soldiers and injured nine others.

   Meanwhile, the Taliban announced Tuesday it has freed 16 more Afghan
   forces as part of the prisoner exchange with the Kabul government. The
   insurgent group says it has released 861 detainees out of the promised
   1,000.

   The prisoner exchange was agreed to in a deal between the United States
   and the Taliban, which was signed in February to help end the
   decadeslong conflict in Afghanistan.

   In return, Afghan authorities are required to release up to 5,000
   Taliban prisoners. So far, they have freed around 4,400.

.