Afghan regime, Taliban agree on unprecedented ceasefire for Eid

KABUL - The Taliban announced Saturday, a three-day ceasefire with Afghan security forces for Eid ul Fitr, the religious event that caps off Ramadan.

According to a statement issued to media, the militant group said operations against foreign forces would continue, warning that the fighters would "strongly defend" themselves if attacked.

It is for the first time the Taliban had agreed to a ceasefire for Eid, since the US invasion in 2001.

The development comes days after president Ashraf Ghani announced a ceasefire with the group, garnering support from United Nations and China as well.

“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan announces ceasefire from the 27th of Ramadan until the fifth day of Eid-ul-Fitr following the historic ruling [Fatwa] of the Afghan Ulema,” Ghani said.

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan announces ceasefire from the 27th of Ramadan until the fifth day of Eid-ul-Fitr following the historic ruling [Fatwa] of the Afghan Ulema.

— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) June 7, 2018

Earlier this week, the Afghan Ulema Council decreed that suicide attacks are strictly against Islam and only the state can declare ‘jihad.’