. >>> nhk world's hideki yui in kabul reports on the difficult road ahead. >> reporter: the taliban onuesday announced the opening of an office in dough haar, the capital of qatar. the new communication channel will enable negotiations to seek a peaceful solution to long running violence in afghanistan. the taliban has repeatedly demanded the united states release five of its senior members detained at guantanamo bay. their status will likely be the early focus of the negotiations. taliban leaders are also hoping that talks with the united states will give them credibility as an organization. even so, the taliban has claimed responsibility for attack on tuesday at pa bagram airbase outside kabul which killed four u.s. soldiers. the attack happened just hours after the announcement of peace talks. the taliban said it will use both force and dialogue which observers say is a tactic to pressure the u.s. >> the islamic community of fold political options and aid which are admitted to afghanistan. >> reporter: the key point for the united states is whether the taliban agrees to break ties w

nhk world's hideki yui reports. >> reporter: a suicide car bombing on tuesday targeted many buses carrying employees of the country's supreme court. local police say at least 15 people were killed and around 40 others were injured and the victims included children and female pedestrians. >> translator: the violence is increasing, and we are terrified by the situation. people are losing their optimism for the future. >> reporter: the taliban claims in a statement that the supreme court infringes upon people's rights and justifies oppressive rule by handing down rulings favoring non-muslims. the car bombing comes just one day after a failed assault on the international airport in kabul. afghan security forces suppressed the attack and the airport escaped damage. the government says the incident proves the local security troops are improving their capabilities, but there is growing fear that insurgents may stage more terrorist attacks on key facilities and government employees in the capital. the united nations points out the civilian casualties from fighting and attacks have increased this y

nhk world's hideki yui reports. >> reporter: the gradual handover of security started two years ago. a ceremony on tuesday marked the final stage of the transition. >> translator: from tomorrow security across the whole country, security responsibility and activities, will be led by our own security and defense forces. >> reporter: 100,000 international media personnel remain in afghanistan to continue training the local police and army. almost all of them will gradually withdraw by the end of next year. afghanistan security forces total 350,000 people, but doubts have been raised about their overall skills. the taliban is stepping up attacks ahead of next year's presidential election. security in the country remains fragile. hideki yui, nhk world, kabul. >> the handover of security was marred by an explosion in kabul targeting a prominent lawmaker. he survived, but three civilians were killed. the bombing took place shortly before the handover ceremony just kilometers away from the site. local police say the explosion happened as the politician's convoy was passing by. more than 30