Afghanistan has struck a ceasefire deal with Taliban insurgents in a remote province, a presidential spokesman said on July 27, the first move of its kind amid an escalation of violence ahead of elections next month.
The truce was reached on Saturday in northwestern Badghis province, near the border with Turkmenistan, spokesman Seyamak Herawi said. The government wanted to make similar deals with the Taliban in other parts of the country in a bid to improve security for the August 20 presidential election, he said.
Violence across Afghanistan this year reached its worst levels since the Taliban's austere Islamist government was ousted in 2001 and has escalated further since thousands of US Marines began a major offensive in southern Helmand this month.
Former Taliban officials have been trying to mediate between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the insurgents since late last year, hoping eventually to arrange peace talks.
The truce was arranged after mediation between Taliban leaders in Badghis and tribal elders and other influential figures in the province.
Under the deal, the Taliban agreed not to attack election candidates in the province and to allow them to set up campaign offices.
Violence across Afghanistan this year reached its worst levels since the Taliban's austere Islamist government was ousted in 2001 and has escalated further since thousands of US Marines began a major offensive in southern Helmand this month.
Former Taliban officials have been trying to mediate between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the insurgents since late last year, hoping eventually to arrange peace talks.
The truce was arranged after mediation between Taliban leaders in Badghis and tribal elders and other influential figures in the province.
Under the deal, the Taliban agreed not to attack election candidates in the province and to allow them to set up campaign offices.
VOVNews/Reuters
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