Afghan Taliban Have Ruled Out Extending The Ceasefire When It Ends Today

Taliban walk as they celebrate ceasefire in Ghanikhel district of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan June 16, 2018.REUTERS/Parwiz

Reuters: Taliban, roaming Afghan cities amid Eid euphoria, rule out ceasefire extension

KABUL (Reuters) - Taliban militants headed into cities across Afghanistan on Sunday as they celebrated their Eid ceasefire with feasts and selfies, raising questions about what happens when the ceasefire ends at midnight.

President Ashraf Ghani said he would extend a government ceasefire on Saturday and urged the Taliban to do the same, garnering praise at home and international backing, but critics said such overtures have allowed the Taliban to pour into cities unchecked and win the upper hand.

But the Taliban said there would be no extension, adding that their members were expected to leave government-controlled areas before sunset.

Ghani had committed “a grave mistake” by allowing Taliban fighters to enter government-controlled areas, said Amarullah Saleh, a politician and former head of the National Directorate of Security.

“We don’t have mechanisms in place to mitigate the breach of ceasefire by the Taliban,” Saleh told Reuters.

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WNU Editor: The Taliban believe they are winning the war .... so why extend the ceasefire.