Afghan security forces on Saturday resumed their operations across the country after President Ashraf Ghani announced the end of the government’s unilateral ceasefire with the Taliban.
“The ceasefire has ended and our security and defence forces are allowed to continue operations,” Ghani told reporters at a press conference in Kabul. “It is now the Taliban’s decision, whether they want to keep killing or join the peace process.”
On June 17, Ghani extended a unilateral ceasefire with the Taliban and urged militants to follow the government’s lead and participate in peace talks. He said the government was ready for “comprehensive negotiations” with the Taliban.
But the Taliban, who have been fighting to impose an Islamic republic in Afghanistan since their ouster in 2001, rejected the request and resumed their campaign. Both the Taliban and the Afghan government had announced a ceasefire in June to allow their fighters to celebrate Eid.
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