Ghani Orders Army To Continue Fight Against Taliban Until Group Declares Truce - Reports

Ghani Orders Army to Continue Fight Against Taliban Until Group Declares Truce - Reports

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has instructed the nation's security forces to continue their operations against the Taliban movement until it agrees to declare a ceasefire in response to the truce declared by the authorities, local media reported on Monday.

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 20th August, 2018) Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has instructed the nation's security forces to continue their operations against the Taliban movement until it agrees to declare a ceasefire in response to the truce declared by the authorities, local media reported on Monday.

The truce, announced by Ghani earlier in the day, would last for three months to mark the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha. The president said, however, that the ceasefire would only be in place if the Taliban adhered to it. Afghan media reported earlier in the day that the Taliban had abducted passengers from three buses in the north of the country.

Ghani ordered the army to continue its offensives against the Taliban during a video conference call with provincial governors, defense and security officials and regional politicians, the Khaama news agency reported, citing the presidential administration.

The officials also discussed the security situation in Afghanistan during the conference call, the outlet added.

In June, the Afghan government and the Taliban declared a ceasefire timed to Eid al-Fitr. The government then prolonged the duration of the truce, but the Taliban did not follow suit.