Afghanistan extends unilateral ceasefire with Taliban after Eid celebrations
However, the militant organisation refuted the officials’ calls for truce and said operations against the security forces will resume from Sunday night.
Afghanistan on Saturday evening extended its unilateral ceasefire with the Taliban. The government’s earlier ceasefire was to end on June 20. “The details about the extended ceasefire will soon be shared with the people,” said President Ashraf Ghani in a televised address, according to TOLO News. “But I order the forces across the country to be ready for any attack to defend the country and the people.”
Ghani urged militants to follow the government’s lead and participate in peace talks. He said the government was ready for “comprehensive negotiations” with the Taliban. “All those issues and demands that have been put forth we are ready to discuss them at the peace talks,” said the president, according to BBC.
However, the militant organisation said the truce would end on Sunday night and operations against the security forces will resume, BBC reported.
We also request the Afghan Taliban to extend their ceasefire. During the ceasefire, we will provide medical assistance to the wounded Taliban, and will provide them any humanitarian assistance if needed,. Taliban prisoners will also be allowed to contact and see their families.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) June 16, 2018
This comes hours after 25 people were killed in an explosion at a gathering of Afghan security forces, civilians and Taliban in the eastern Nangarhar province. The group was celebrating an unprecedented ceasefire between the security forces and the militants. Both the Taliban and the Afghan government have announced a ceasefire to allow their fighters to celebrate Eid.
