Taliban, Afghan president declare three-day Eid ceasefire from Sunday

The Taliban declared a three-day Eid ceasefire in Afghanistan starting Sunday, via a tweet on Saturday, and the country’s President said the government would reciprocate.

The move came as fighting between the two sides had intensified despite the coronavirus pandemic.

“Do not carry out any offensive operations against the enemy anywhere, if any action is taken against you by the enemy, defend yourself,” Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, tweeted.

He added that the ceasefire was declared solely for Eid festivities marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani welcomed the Taliban’s ceasefire announcement and extended the offer of peace.

 

Last month, the Taliban rejected a government call for a ceasefire across Afghanistan for Ramadan, saying a truce was ”not rational” as they ramped up attacks on Afghan forces.

At least 146 civilians were killed and 430 wounded by the Taliban during Ramadan, Javid Faisal, a spokesman for the country’s main intelligence and security office in Kabul, said on Saturday.

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