Violence in Afghanistan flares up again after a three-day truce
Fighting between Afghan government forces and the Taliban in southern Helmand province resumed on Sunday after a three-day truce, according to the report from local authorities. The attack on a mosque in the capital Kabul last Friday was claimed by the terror group Islamic State (IS). SITE Intelligence Group reports this, which keeps an eye on the terrorist websites.
Outbreaks have been reported in the suburbs of Lashkar Gah, the province’s capital. Violence has flared up since it became known that international troops are about to withdraw from Afghanistan. The foreign soldiers officially started their retreat on May 1, which must be completed by September 11. The Taliban have since intensified their attacks on provincial capitals, army bases, and checkpoints, among others.
On Friday, during Friday prayers, an explosion took place in a mosque in Shakar Darah district. At least 12 people were killed, 15 others were injured. Among the victims was the mosque’s imam. According to SITE, the bomb was placed in the mosque and went off after the believers entered the building. Police had previously reported that the explosives had been placed near the altar.
Eid al-Fitr
On Thursday, a three-day truce started in Afghanistan because of Eid al-Fitr, the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The truce was declared last week by the extremist Taliban, after which Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called on his forces to comply.
Negotiators from the Afghan government and the Taliban sat around the table again in Qatar on Friday to discuss speeding up the pace of peace negotiations after months of stagnation. The parties have agreed to continue talks after Eid al-Fitr, according to the Taliban.
