What’s 17-plus years of war among friends?
Hardened Taliban fighters and Afghan security forces hugged it out during a three-day ceasefire called to mark Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday that ends the holy month of Ramadan.
The militants – who are still at war with the U.S. – hung out with government forces and civilians, taking selfies.
It was the first ceasefire since the 2001 U.S. invasion.
However, the unprecedented gatherings were interrupted by a scene all too familiar in Afghan life – an ISIS suicide bombing that claimed at least 26 lives Saturday.
Prior to that, unarmed Taliban fighters were waving Afghan and Taliban flags while driving into Afghanistan’s cities.
Traffic jams formed in the capital Kabul, where people stopped to take pictures of the fighters, who in turn urged people to join them in selfies. Images on social media and news websites showed scenes from throughout the country of cheerful soldiers and Taliban militants hugging one another and exchanging Eid greetings. Civilians surrounded them dancing, whistling, clapping and sharing holiday sweets.
In Afghanistan’s northern Baghlan province, Asadullah Shabaz, head of the provincial council, said unarmed Taliban joined in prayers at a local mosque. “We are all just so tired of war,” he said.
“It was the most peaceful Eid,” said Qais Liwal, a student in Zabul, a city in country’s south. “For the first time, we felt safe. It is hard to describe the joy.”
The happy moments were interrupted by tragedy when a car bomb detonated in a crowd of celebrants in the eastern city of Nangarhar, about 115 miles southeast of Kabul. In addition to the fatalities, around 50 people were wounded. Most of the casualties were believed to be Taliban. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.
Nevertheless, Afghans took heart in the Eid ceasefire, which spurred hopes for a longer-lasting pause in the combat.
Within hours of the explosion, President Ashraf Ghani said during a rare televised address that he will extend the government’s ceasefire. He did not give details about how long he expects it to last.
“I order the security forces to remain on their defensive positions,” Ghani said, adding details of the extension would be released later. He called on the Taliban to extend their three-day ceasefire, which is due to end Sunday, and begin peace talks. The Taliban did not immediate reply to his appeal.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo echoed Ghani’s address.
“The United States stands ready to work with the Afghan government, the Taliban, and all the people of Afghanistan to reach a peace agreement and political settlement that brings a permanent end to this war.”
