Eid al-Fitr 2021, Taliban Spokesman Announces Three-Day Ceasefire

Illustration of the Taliban Army. (Wikimedia Commons/isafmedia)

JAKARTA - Ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2021, Taliban guerrillas announced a three-day ceasefire in Afghanistan through a spokesman Monday, May 10.

It was the first ceasefire announcement, after weeks of escalation of clashes between the Taliban and the Afghan military escalated, along with the withdrawal of international and US troops, including US-led contractors.

"For the Mujahideen to again provide a peaceful and safe atmosphere to our comrades during Eid al-Fitr so that they can celebrate this exciting occasion", Taliban spokesman Mohammed Neem wrote on his Twitter account.

"(for that) All Mujahideen were ordered to cease all offensive operations", Mohammad Naeem continued. Eid al-Fitr itself is planned to fall on Wednesday or Thursday this week.

The declaration of a ceasefire comes two days after a bombing outside a school in the western part of the Afghan capital, Kabul, killed at least 68 people, most of the students, and wounded more than 165 others. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Taliban insurgents, who have struggled to overthrow the Afghan government since their overthrow by United States-led forces in late 2001, denied involvement in the bombings and condemned them.

Instead, the Afghan government says the group is behind the deadly attacks that have been condemned internationally.

Naeem said that although the group's fighters have been ordered to halt all military operations against the Afghan government, they are ready to retaliate if attacked by government forces.

Fraidoon Khwazoon, a spokesman for Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation, which leads the peace process, said the group welcomed the Taliban's ceasefire announcement.

Meanwhile, President Ashraf Ghani's spokesman did not immediately comment, regarding whether they would observe the ceasefire.

For the record, Afghanistan has been on high alert since Washington last month announced plans to withdraw all US troops by September 11.

The announcement was in response to increased armed clashes between the Afghan military and the Taliban in several areas, with the death toll being said to be more than 100. Before finally, the Taliban announced a ceasefire ahead of Eid al-Fitr.