Taliban to halt its attacks after U.S. calls off strikes

The Taliban agreed Friday to suspend attacks in southern Afghanistan that have displaced thousands this week — but only after the Americans promised to halt all strikes and night raids in keeping with the peace agreement the U.S. signed with the insurgents in February.

The U.S. has been conducting air strikes in support of Afghan forces trying to repel weeklong Taliban assaults in southern Helmand province that threatened to derail efforts to end Afghanistan’s 19-year war.

The Taliban pledge came after a meeting with U.S. peace envoy

Zalmay Khalilzad and Gen. Austin

Miller, commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, a Taliban figure familiar with the discussions said.

The Taliban agreed to suspend operations after the Americans said they would end drone strikes on insurgent positions, as well as night raids and air assaults, the Taliban figure said.