The Taliban are to resume attacks against government forces, just days after signing a deal with the US aimed at bringing peace to Afghanistan.

The hard-line Islamist group had observed a “reduction in violence” in the week leading up to the agreement.

The deal included a commitment to hold peace talks with the Afghan government, reports BBC.

But the group’s spokesman said on Monday the talks would not go ahead if 5,000 Taliban prisoners held by the government were not released.

The release formed part of the agreement signed on Saturday in Qatar with the US.

But on Sunday, Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani told reporters his government had agreed to no such release.

“There is no commitment to releasing 5,000 prisoners,” Ghani said.