Kabul, Afghanistan
Speaking in a televised address, Ghani said that local forces would halt offensive operations against the insurgent group beginning on June 12, close to the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, but would continue to attack the local branch of the Islamic State and other hard-line militant groups. It was the first time an Afghan leader has declared an unconditional cease-fire with the Taliban since the current war began in 2001.
The Taliban had no immediate response to Ghani’s declaration.
An Afghan official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, said the government would extend the period of the truce if the Taliban abides by its terms.
“This cease-fire is an opportunity for Taliban to reflect on the fact that their violent campaign is not winning them hearts and minds but further alienating the Afghan people from their cause,” Ghani said. “With the cease-fire announcement, we epitomize the strength of the Afghan government and the will of the people to achieve a peaceful resolution to the Afghan conflict.”
The unexpected announcement comes at a delicate moment for Ghani and his Western backers, as Afghan forces struggle to demonstrate their strength against an emboldened Taliban, which controls vast parts of rural Afghanistan and has launched an increasingly bloody campaign of terrorist attacks in urban areas. Last month, the militants overran parts of the provincial capital of Farah province, in western Afghanistan.
Under President Donald Trump’s new strategy, an expanded U.S. force is providing hands-on assistance to Afghan units. Although they are more capable and better equipped than in the past, these units continue to struggle to plan and execute major operations against the Taliban. Last month, the Pentagon’s inspector general reported that local forces had made “minimal progress” in securing Afghans.