Afghanistan, Taliban extend cease-fire
Rebels, government appear willing to set aside fight during EID
HERAT, Afghanistan — President Ashraf Ghani ordered the extension Saturday of a first-time cease-fire with Taliban insurgents, offered to provide medical treatment to injured Taliban fighters and announced that 46 Taliban prisoners had been released Friday as a sign of official goodwill.
In a solemn speech from his palace in Kabul, Ghani said his government was ready for “comprehensive peace and talks” and that he would be willing to discuss all Taliban concerns, including “the future role of international troops” in the country. He did not say how long the extension would last.
Ghani’s dramatic announcement aimed to build on the extraordinary success of the ceasefire’s first day Friday, in which thousands of Taliban fighters poured into cities and towns across the country and joined local civilians and security officials in celebrating the Eid holiday that follows Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
The president said he was acting “to respect the public’s wishes and support their demands for peace,” and that his government would continue releasing prisoners as long as it received a positive reciprocal response from the Taliban. There was no immediate comment from the group, which has been fighting to regain power since 2002, after Taliban religious rulers were ousted by Afghan and U.S. forces.
In Washington, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed support for Ghani’s cease-fire extension and offer of peace talks. In Kabul, a statement from U.S. military officials echoed Ghani’s declaration that such talks must include a discussion of the role of foreign forces.
The current U.S. military advisory mission, with about 13,000 troops, has been training and supporting Afghan defense forces as well as providing air combat support. The Taliban have repeatedly demanded that all foreign troops leave as a condition for talks.
Even as Ghani spoke, the positive momentum of Friday’s events was undercut by a bombing in eastern Nangarhar province, outside a site where Taliban and local officials were meeting to celebrate the truce. The attack left 26 people dead, according to provincial officials.
The Islamic State, which was not part of the truce, claimed responsibility for the bombing. A government defense spokesman said explosives were hidden in a car and that an extremist Sunni militia was likely behind the bombing.
There have been no reports of Taliban attacks since the ceasefire started, however, and the momentum for peace seemed to be building. Several local Taliban leaders said they supported an extended truce, although there are still sharp divisions among its national leadership. Over the past decade, numerous efforts to launch negotiations have collapsed.