Taliban in surprise ceasefire with Afghan forces
News & Trends •
the taliban announced its first ceasefire in afghanistan since the 2001 us invasion on saturday with a three-day halt in hostilities against the countrys security forces that was greeted with relief by war-weary afghans1 but the group warned the suspension of fighting for the first three days of eid the holiday that caps off ramadan did not extend to foreign occupiers who would continue to be targeted by the militants1 the unexpected move came two days after the afghan governments own surprise announcement of a week-long halt to operations against the taliban1 it is the first time in nearly 17 years of conflict that the militants have declared a ceasefire albeit a limited one1 all the mujahideen are directed to stop offensive operations against afghan forces for the first three days of eid-al-fitr the taliban said in a whatsapp message to journalists1 but it added that if the mujahideen are attacked we will strongly defend ourselves1 the taliban said foreign occupiers are the exception to the order sent to its fighters around the country1 our operations will continue against them we will attack them wherever we see them it said1 even a brief cessation of hostilities would bring welcome relief to civilians in the war-torn country nearly two decades after the taliban regime was toppled1 in recent years the resurgent militants along with the islamic state group have stepped up their attacks on kabul in particular making it the deadliest place in the country for civilians1