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AFGHANISTAN

The Story

A series of attacks in Afghanistan have killed hundreds of people in the past week.

Back up.

The Afghan army has been fighting a nearly 17-year-long war with the Taliban, the Islamic extremist group that basically ruled Afghanistan back in the '90s, but got kicked out after 9/11. It's been carrying out attacks against soldiers and civilians ever since. Meanwhile, ISIS has also set up shop in the area.

What's the latest?

Last week, the Taliban launched an assault on a strategic city that connects the capital to anti-gov areas in the south. The attack lasted for days and up to 150 civilians were estimated to have been killed. Then yesterday, it led another attack in the country's north and killed nearly 40 police officers and soldiers. Then there was an attack on students.

What happened?

Yesterday, a suicide bomber walked into a classroom full of teens, killing 34 people and injuring dozens more. The center was in a Shiite area of the city - often a target for Sunni terror groups. The Taliban has denied being responsible, and people think this one might've been ISIS. Meanwhile, the uptick in violence has dashed hopes of a peace deal anytime soon.

Tell me about that.

The Trump admin has been looking for a peace deal with the Taliban that could finally bring an end to this war. There was a ceasefire earlier this year. And last month, Taliban officials met up with US reps for a chat. There's reportedly another meeting on the books for next month. But this recent round of violence makes peace with the Taliban - or even another ceasefire - seem less and less likely right now.

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This has been a particularly deadly week in Afghanistan. Some think the Taliban might be trying to use this as a show of force during peace negotiations. Either way, it shines a spotlight on a country that's been wracked by war for well over a decade, with no signs of stopping.

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THING TO KNOW

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