President Donald Trump flagged "progress" in peace talks with the Taliban on Friday but again warned that he has the ability to wipe out much of Afghanistan within days, killing millions.

"We've made a lot of progress. We're talking," Trump told reporters at the White House.

Trump said that US forces, bogged down for nearly two decades, "could win Afghanistan in two days or three days or four days, but I'm not looking to kill 10 million people."

He made a similar comment about 10 million casualties in July, but this time specified that this would not involve nuclear weapons. "I'm talking conventional."

Trump was vague, however, in answering a question about a Washington Post report on a deal being brokered in which the United States would cut troop levels in Afghanistan to as low as 8,000 from the current 14,000.

In return, the Taliban insurgency would reportedly cease fire, enter peace talks with the US-backed Afghan government, and pledge to keep out Al-Qaeda -- whose 9/11 attacks on the US spurred the invasion that ousted the Taliban from power in Afghanistan in 2001.

- 18 years in Afghanistan -

The United States and the Taliban are soon expected to begin their eighth round of talks in Doha to reach a deal that would end America's nearly 18-year involvement in Afghanistan.

Washington has said it wants to see a deal inked by September 1, but any deal requires the Taliban to talk to Kabul.

The push to end the conflict has ignited widespread concern among Afghans that in Washington's rush to exit its longest war, the Taliban will be returned to some semblance of power.

The Taliban, who now control or influence about half of Afghanistan's territory, recently signed on to a vague pledge to reduce civilian casualties, but violence has continued unabated.

According to a UN report released Tuesday, 1,366 civilians were killed and another 2,446 wounded during the first six months of 2019.

The figure does not include at least 34 people who were killed in western Afghanistan when their bus hit a Taliban roadside bomb on Wednesday.

Young Afghans wary as possible US-Taliban deal nears
Kabul (AFP) Aug 2, 2019 - With momentum apparently building for a breakthrough in talks between Washington and the Taliban, younger Afghans whose lives have been overshadowed by nearly 18 years of war are sceptical any deal will bring them peace.

Instead many fear that the US, in its haste to exit its longest war, is rushing for a deal that will see the insurgents regaining some level of power in Kabul.

"We cannot trust the Taliban and their commitments because they were cruel and oppressive in their regime," said Abdul Jamil Qureshi, a 23-year-old psychology student at Kabul University.

"We are worried for the lives of women and girls who have fought hard for their rights following the fall of the Taliban."

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special envoy leading America's push for peace with its longtime adversary, is expected to meet the Taliban in Doha this weekend for the latest in a months-long series of talks, with expectations high.

A peace deal between the US and the Taliban would be built around the premise that America and other foreign forces would slash their Afghanistan presence.

No numbers have been announced, but The Washington Post reported Thursday that an initial deal to end the war could see US troop numbers fall to as low as 8,000 from their current level of around 14,000.

In return, the Taliban would vow to prevent Afghanistan being used as a safe haven for various terror groups including Al-Qaeda, which conducted the September 11, 2001 attacks that triggered the US-led invasion.

Abdul Hadi, 32, who runs a stall selling energy drinks and cigarettes in the capital, worried what would happen to the Afghan army if their American benefactors and trainers leave.

"The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan is not the solution, because the Afghan forces are not prepared to tackle Taliban and Daesh fighters in the country," he said, using an alternate name for the Islamic State group.

- 'Want to be free' -

Afghan forces have suffered devastating casualties -- in the tens of thousands -- since they assumed responsibility for their country's security at the end of 2014.

Even after years of training and equipping by foreign experts, many units remain beset with corruption and desertions.

Ahmad Jawed, 25, another Kabul University student, said he saw America as "running away" and ceding Afghanistan to the Taliban, throwing into doubt any number of hard-won gains for ordinary Afghans.

"They are seeking a monopoly of power that is unacceptable for us," Jawed said.

"This is not Afghanistan of the '90s. We live in the 21st century. We do not trust the Taliban and their commitments."

But Abdullah, a 20-year-old who like many Afghans uses only one name, said he would welcome a deal if it leads to durable peace.

"We do not have a military solution for our country, the talks are the only way we can resolve the issues in Afghanistan," said Abdullah, who works for a private firm in Kabul.

We want to be "free from foreign countries' interference. If the Taliban do not oppose women working and the education of girls and leave them to be the way they are now, we will be happy to have them in Afghan society."

Mohammad Ashraf, 27, a Kabul taxi driver said all he wanted was an end to Afghanistan's raging violence.

"We don't care if the Taliban comes or not, we only want peace and security. That is all we want," Ashraf said.

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Afghan-Taliban talks could happen within two weeks
Kabul (AFP) July 27, 2019
Direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban could begin in Norway within the next two weeks, officials and sources said Saturday, marking a potentially crucial step in efforts to end the war. The Taliban have so far refused to speak to the government of President Ashraf Ghani, which they see as illegitimate, except for at a recent summit where Ghani officials attended in a "personal capacity". "We are preparing for direct talks," said Abdul Salam Rahimi, the state minister for pea ... read more