The Taliban announced a three-day ceasefire in Afghanistan on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr late on Saturday.
As per the latest reports of the Tolo News, a statement was published by the group's spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid over on Twitter and said that the Taliban will not stage any attack on 'enemy' forces, but will practice their right to defend itself against possible threats.
The announcement was instantly welcomed by the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani, who said he has also instructed the Afghan Forces to comply with the three-days truce.
"I welcome the ceasefire announcement by the Taliban. The Afghan government extends the offer of peace."
"As Commander-in-Chief I have instructed ANDSF to comply with the three-days truce and to defend only if attacked. Further details will be given in my speech tomorrow morning," tweeted Ghani.
I welcome the ceasefire announcement by the Taliban. The Afghan government extends the offer of peace. As Commander in Chief I have instructed ANDSF to comply with the three-days truce and to defend only if attacked. Further details will be given in my speech tomorrow morning.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) May 23, 2020
The U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation also welcomed this announcement and added that 'other positive steps should immediately follow'.
"We welcome the Taliban's decision to observe a ceasefire during Eid, as well as the Afghan government announcement reciprocating and announcing its own ceasefire," said Khalilzad in a series of tweets.
"Other positive steps should immediately follow: the release of remaining prisoners as specified in the US-Taliban agreement by both sides, no returning to high levels of violence, and an agreement on a new date for the start of intra-Afghan negotiations," he said in another tweet.