A US intelligence official on Thursday said that he doubts the possibility of ceasefire in Afghanistan through talks because the level of violence in the country remains high. 

Gen. Scott David Berrier, the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, at the US Senate Armed Services Committee, violence remains high in Afghanistan amidst efforts for peace. 

“Talks are highly unlikely to result in extended ceasefires or violence reduction while the Taliban continues to apply military pressure on the Afghan government,” he said. “At the same time, the threats from terrorist organizations will persist.” 

Meanwhile, US Senator Jean Shaheen warned that Afghan women will face threats after the withdrawal of US forces from the country. 

“Unfortunately, it shows that, it suggests that, there is a real threat that faces women and girls in Afghanistan after we withdraw,” Shaheen said. 

Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence, said the intelligence community is currently focused on how to ensure the safe return of US forces from Afghanistan. 

CNN on Friday reported that it has conducted an interview through intermediaries with two al Qaeda operatives who have said that “war against the US will be continuing on all other fronts unless they are expelled from the rest of the Islamic world.” 

Under the US-Taliban peace agreement signed in Doha last February, the Taliban pledged to sever its ties with al Qaeda and all other terror groups. 

“Are there any al Qaeda members in Afghanistan? Yes, there is a small presence of al Qaeda, but it can grow rapidly if Afghanistan moves towards internal anarchy,” said Tariq Farhadi, a former presidential adviser. 

The announcement of withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan has also led to new armed activities among some local anti-Taliban forces in Afghanistan. But Afghan defense officials persuaded these forces to operate within the structure of the Afghan security forces. 

“Those who come and claim to lead another resistance, I request them to get merged with the same forces (Army), put on a uniform, take responsibility and fight against the enemy,” Acting Defense Minister Gen. Yasin Zia told TOLOnews on Thursday. 

Afghans hope that the talks in Doha and the upcoming UN-led conference on Afghanistan in Turkey would help to end the ongoing violence in the country.