Big peace no from Taliban

Kabul – The Taliban said yesterday they would not extend their three-day ceasefire with Afghan security forces and that fighting would resume, dashing hopes for the recent peace to continue.

The comments by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid came after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced on Saturday that a government truce with the militants would be extended. But he asked the group to reciprocate.

“The ceasefire ends tonight and our operations will begin, inshallah. We have no intention to extend the ceasefire,” Mujahid told AFP in a WhatsApp message.

Mujahid made no reference to Ghani’s announcement.

The first formal, nationwide ceasefire since the 2001 US invasion had been met with jubilation across the country as Afghans – Taliban, security forces and civilians – celebrated Eid, at the end of the fasting month Ramadan.

Taliban fighters and security forces embraced and took selfies with each other over the first two days of the Muslim holidays.

Civilians also flocked to greet the militants, who had left their posts or areas under their control to celebrate the halt in hostilities, which had fuelled hopes among war-weary Afghans that peace was possible.

The extraordinary festivities were marred by a suicide attack in the eastern province of Nangarhar on Saturday that was later claimed by the Islamic State group’s franchise in Afghanistan. IS was not included in the ceasefire.

The death toll from the blast has risen to 36, with another 65 wounded, Nangarhar health director Najibullah Kamawal said.

Ghani’s extension of the government’s eight-day ceasefire, which had been due to expire tomorrow, drew immediate international support and calls for the Taliban to follow suit.

The Taliban had agreed to a truce but only for the first three days of Eid, which started on Friday, promising not to attack Afghan soldiers or police. They would, however, continue attacking US-led Nato troops.

With the ceasefire due to end last night, fighting is likely to resume today.

Before the Taliban’s ceasefire had even started, analysts had expressed cautious optimism that the truces, if successful, could help build trust between the government and the Taliban and lay the groundwork for peace talks.

We have no intention to extend the ceasefire and our operations will begin again.

Zabihullah Mujahid Taliban spokesperson