Photo: UNAMA / Fraidoon Poya – A family struggles through a dusty environment in Afghanistan
The United States has welcomed President Ashraf Ghani’s offer of a temporary ceasefire between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban to allow the Afghan people to celebrate Eid al-Fitr without fear of violence.
“This ceasefire further demonstrates the Afghan government’s commitment to explore ways to end the conflict,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.
Afghanistan has been reeling under a spate of deadly bombings and there seems to be no end to the Taliban insurgency. The ISIS’ ability to operate in the country has further compounded Afghan troubles.
Washington has been backing the Afghan Taliban political reconciliation and discussed the issue with Pakistani Army chief on Wednesday.
The State Department noted Thursday that the ceasefire follows the Afghan Ulema Council’s call for the Taliban to end their campaign of violence against the Afghan people and government.
A view of Kabul, the centre of Afghanistan’s social and political life. Photo UNAMA/Fardin Waezi.
“The Afghan government’s offer of a temporary ceasefire underscores its commitment to peace as both a national and religious responsibility. We stand with the Afghan people as they lay the foundation for an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process,” Pompeo said in the statement.
However, the U.S. has made it clear that the ceasefire offer applies only to theTaliban and does not extend to ISIS or al-Qaeda.
“In support of the Afghan government’s initiative, NATO’s Resolute Support Mission and U.S. forces in Afghanistan will respect the ceasefire, as it applies to the Taliban.
“It does not apply to ISIS and al-Qa’ida, nor does it prohibit operations to defend Afghan and Coalition forces from attack,” the statement adds.
“The United States and our international partners look to the Taliban to honor the ceasefire and demonstrate their respect for the people of Afghanistan who have long called for a reprieve to the Taliban’s campaign of violence,” the statement said.
