Voice of America
24 May 2020, 03:35 GMT+10
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN - The Taliban declared a three-day Eid cease-fire in Afghanistan starting Sunday, via a tweet on Saturday from the hardline Islamist group, and the country's president said the government would reciprocate.
The move came as fighting between the two sides had intensified despite the coronavirus pandemic.
"Do not carry out any offensive operations against the enemy anywhere, if any action is taken against you by the enemy, defend yourself," Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, tweeted. He added that the cease-fire was declared solely for Eid festivities marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani welcomed the Taliban's cease-fire announcement and extended the offer of peace. "As Commander-in-Chief I have instructed ANDSF [Afghan National Defense and Security Forces] to comply with the three-days truce and to defend only if attacked," he said in a tweet.
Last month, the Taliban rejected a government call for a cease-fire across Afghanistan for Ramadan, saying a truce was "not rational" as they ramped up attacks on Afghan forces.
At least 146 civilians were killed and 430 wounded by the Taliban during Ramadan, Javid Faisal, a spokesman for the country's main intelligence and security office in Kabul, said Saturday.
Get a daily dose of International Travel News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to International Travel News.
More InformationNEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...
LONDON, U.K.: Physically backed gold exchange-traded funds recorded their most significant semi-annual inflow since the first half...
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Some 32 percent of global semiconductor production could face climate change-related copper supply disruptions...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks rebounded Tuesday with all the major indices gaining ground. Markets in the UK, Europe and Canada...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Financial markets kicked off the week on a cautious note as President Donald Trump rolled out a fresh round...
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil: At a two-day summit over the weekend, the BRICS bloc of emerging economies issued a joint declaration condemning...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer need to remove their shoes during security screenings, Department of Homeland...
PARIS, France: A strike by French air traffic controllers demanding improved working conditions caused significant disruptions during...
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], July 11 (ANI): A stunning transformation is underway in Pune, where trash is being turned into timeless...
New Delhi [India], July 11 (ANI): A special 'Swarnim Bharat Yatra' tourist train under the Bharat Gaurav scheme will depart on August...
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 10 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that the responsibility...
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 10 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that he stands firmly...