The Guardian –
End to hostilities is a key demand of Washington before any peace deal could be signed
Associated Press
Mon 30 Dec 2019
Afghan forces prepare for an operation against Taliban militants in the Guzara district, Herat province, Afghanistan. Photograph: Jalil Rezayee/EPA
The Taliban’s ruling council has agreed to a temporary ceasefire in Afghanistan, providing a window in which a peace agreement with the United States can be signed, officials from the militant group have said. They did not say when it would begin and there was no immediate response from Washington.
A ceasefire had been demanded by Washington before any peace agreement could be signed. A peace deal would allow the US to bring home its troops from Afghanistan and end its 18-year military engagement there, America’s longest.
The US wants any deal to include a promise from the Taliban that Afghanistan would not be used as a base by terrorist groups. The US has an estimated 12,000 troops in Afghanistan.
The Taliban chief must approve the ceasefire decision but that was expected. The duration of the ceasefire was not specified but it was suggested it would last for 10 days.
Afghan forces prepare for an operation against Taliban militants in the Guzara district, Herat province, Afghanistan. Photograph: Jalil Rezayee/EPA
Categories: Afghanistan, America, Americas, Asia, United States
It was clear to the Taliban right from the beginning, that they just have to wait until the Americans are fed-up, like the Russians were.