<P> In late September, Taliban forces launched an attack on Kunduz, seizing several outlying villages and entering the city . The Taliban stormed the regional hospital and clashed with security forces at the nearby university . The fighting saw the Taliban attack from four different districts: Char Dara to the west, Aliabad to the south - west, Khanabad to the east and Imam Saheb to the north . The Taliban took the Zakhel and Ali Khel villages on the highway leading south, which connects the city to Kabul and Mazar - e Sharif through Aliabad district, and reportedly made their largest gains in the south - west of Kunduz, where some local communities had picked up weapons and supported the Taliban . Taliban fighters had allegedly blocked the route to the Airport to prevent civilians fleeing the city . One witness reported that the headquarters of the National Directorate of Security was set on fire . Kunduz was recaptured by Afghan and American forces on October 14, 2015 . </P> <P> Chinese officials have declared that Afghan stability affects separatist movements in the region, including in China's West as well as the security of the China--Pakistan Economic Corridor . China and Pakistan have been involved in negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban . The Quadrilateral Coordination Group - consisting of Afghan, American, Chinese and Pakistani officials have been inviting the Taliban to discuss peace talks since January 2016, but currently they are presumably preoccupied with fighting each other and the government forces . A meeting between representatives of both sides were expected to take place in early March but the Taliban stated they would not participate . </P> <P> The bombing of the Kabul parliament has highlighted differences within the Taliban in their approach to peace talks . In April 2016, President Ashraf Ghani "pulled the plug" on the Afghan governments failing effort to start peace talks with the Taliban . And due to the Haqqani Networks integration into the Taliban leadership, it will now be harder for peace talks to take place . Although leader of the Taliban, Haibatullah Akhundzada, said a peace agreement was possible if the government in Kabul renounced its foreign allies . </P> <P> On November 11, 2015, it was reported that infighting had broken out between different Taliban factions in Zabul Province . Fighters loyal to the new Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor fought a Pro-ISIL splinter faction led by Mullah Mansoor Dadullah . Even though Dadullah's faction enjoyed the support of foreign ISIL fighters, including Uzbeks and Chechens, it was reported that Mansoor's Taliban loyalists had the upper hand . According to Ghulam Jilani Farahi, provincial director of security in Zabul, more than 100 militants from both sides were killed since the fighting broke out . </P>

How long did u.s. command think the war was going to last