In northern Afghanistan, at least 11 civilians, including children, were killed when their car triggered a roadside bomb, according to local government officials, who blamed the Taliban.

No one has claimed responsibility for the incident, which occurred hours before senior Taliban commanders and UN officials met in Qatar to discuss the Afghan peace process, as well as security for diplomats and humanitarian workers in Afghanistan.

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the deputy head of the Taliban's political office, "reiterated strong commitment to the Afghan peace process at the meeting" with UN officials, according to a Taliban spokesperson.

While the Taliban delegation assured all relevant UN agencies and other diplomats based in Afghanistan that they would be safe, Afghan officials accused the Taliban of continuing to wage violence against government forces and civilians in order to gain complete territorial control over several provinces.

The governor of the northern province of Badgis, Husamudim Shams, said 11 passengers, including three children, were killed in the bomb on Saturday on their way to the city of Qala-e-Naw.

In recent months, roadside bombs, small magnetic devices hidden under vehicles, and other attacks have targeted Afghan security officers, judges, government officials, civil society activists, and journalists.

Despite efforts to reach peace, about 1,800 Afghan civilians were killed or injured in the first three months of 2021 during combat between government forces and Taliban rebels, according to the United Nations.