Please continue to be in prayer for Afghanistan where amidst a number of challenges and setbacks, there are significant efforts taking place to pursue peace talks between the Government, the Taliban, militant groups and tribal and religious leaders. U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told journalists on March 5 that negotiations were continuing on "a daily basis right now and progress is being made."

"The discussions  wereongoing and focusing on the four interconnected issues that are going to compose any future agreement," Palladino said, listing them as "terrorism," "troop withdrawal," "intra-Afghan dialogue," and a "cease-fire."

However, this longest round of peace talks between the United States and the Taliban has ended with "real strides" being made but without an agreement on troop withdrawals from Afghanistan, U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said on March 12.

“The conditions for peace have improved. It’s clear all sides want to end the war. Despite ups and downs, we kept things on track and made real strides," Khalilzad said on Twitter, adding that another round is possible later this month after the 16 days of negotiations in Qatar's capital, Doha.  See: https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s--taliban-peace-talks-end-with-real-strides-made-but-no-deal/29818634.html?ltflags=mailer

This last month has seen two militant led attacks on civilians and Government forces in Jalalabad and Helmand Province with the loss of dozens of lives.  See: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-jalalabad-double-suicide-attack/29806106.html?ltflags=mailer  AND   https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-attack-afghan-military-base-helmand-gunbattle/29797634.html?ltflags=mailer

A military source told RFE/RL that a top Afghan commander at the military installation had been killed in the attack.The assault on the base came while the U.S. peace envoy for Afghanistan was in Qatar for the latest round of peace talks.Peace negotiations resumed on March 2 following three days of talks with Taliban negotiators in Doha, aimed at finding a negotiated solution to Afghanistan's 17-year war.

The New York Times reported on March 1 that the proposal currently under discussion could include the withdrawal of U.S. forces in the next three to five years and the creation of a power-sharing government including the Taliban.

In the past, Khalilzad has tried to convince the Taliban to hold direct talks with representatives of Afghanistan's government. The Taliban has rejected that proposal.

In Kabul on February 28, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani reiterated that an Afghan-led peace process would provide lasting stability in the country.

"Afghanistan wants cooperation and collaboration, but Afghans and the legitimate government of Afghanistan should own the peace process," he said.

There are some 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, as well as thousands of European forces participating in NATO's Resolute Support mission.

Meanwhile, a planned meeting of hundreds of Afghan politicians and tribal, ethnic, and religious leaders aimed at discussing negotiations with the Taliban has been postponed, officials say. The gathering, known as a consultative Loya Jirga, was initially set to be held in Kabul from March 17-20.  See: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-loya-jirga-aimed-at-discussing-peace-talks-delayed/29801048.html?ltflags=mailer

Pray for those affected by the recent militant attacks and the medics and other professionals who are treating and supporting them.

Pray for breakthrough as the Afghan High Peace Council pursues reconciliation with the militants.

Pray for the US led talks, that they will open doors to meaningful dialogue between all parties and steps towards lasting peace.