Big hugs and selfies as Afghan soldiers, Taliban celebrate Eid ceasefire
KABUL, June 16 (Reuters) - Afghan soldiers and Taliban militants celebrated an unprecedented ceasefire marking the end of the Ramadan fasting season with Eid greetings, handshakes, big hugs and selfies.
The Taliban announced a surprise 3-day ceasefire over the Eid holiday, which began on Friday, except against foreign forces. It overlaps with an Afghan government ceasefire which lasts until Wednesday.
Video and pictures on social media showed cheerful soldiers and Taliban hugging one another and exchanging Eid greetings in Logar province, south of Kabul, and Zabul in the south and central Maidan Wardak.
Afghan Deputy Interior Minister Masood Azizi said the ceasefire was being monitored throughout the country. “Luckily there have been no attacks,” he told Reuters.
Members of rights groups organised a brief meeting between Afghan forces and Taliban insurgents in Helmand's capital city. Laskargah, where the Taliban have delivered a series of blows to government forces this year.
Men and women gathered around the soldiers and Taliban fighters and urged them to keep their weapons holstered before they hugged each other. “It was the most peaceful Eid. For the first time we felt safe. It is hard to describe the joy,” said Qais Liwal, a student in Zabul.
The main square of Kunduz city, capital of the province of the same name which has witnessed bloody clashes, became a friendly meeting ground.
Resident Mohammad Amir said his brother had told him the Taliban were casually entering the city. “I could not believe my eyes,” he told Reuters. “I saw Taliban and police standing side by side and taking selfies.”