Afghan Taleban raise hopes with surprise Eid ceasefire
kabul — The Afghan Taleban on Saturday announced a surprise three-day ceasefire over the Eid Al Fitr holidays in the middle of June, their first offer of its kind, days after the government declared an unconditional ceasefire of its own.
The militants said foreign forces would be excluded from the ceasefire and that operations against them would continue. They also said they would defend themselves against any attack.
“Members of the Taleban should not participate in public gatherings during the Eid festivities because the enemy could target us,” they said in a statement.
There was no government official response but Omar Zakhilwal, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to neighbouring Pakistan, described the announcement as an “important step towards prospects for peace”.
“Hope the pleasure of shedding
no Afghan blood in Eid becomes so overwhelming that rest of year is also declared as Afghan Eid,” he said on Twitter.
It was not clear exactly when the ceasefire would begin, as Eid starts when the moon is first sighted, but Afghan calendars mark Friday June 15 as the end of Ramadan.
“In three days, maybe the unity
of Taleban will be put to test,” a European diplomat said. “If different factions don’t accept the ceasefire, then attacks will continue.”
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced an unconditional ceasefire with the Taleban insurgents on Thursday, until June 20, but excluding other militant groups, such as Daesh. —