*KABUL: *A week-long “reduction in violence” between the Taliban, the US,and Afghan security forces will commence shortly, an official said Friday,ahead of the signing of a possible deal between Washington and theinsurgents.
“The reduction in violence will start from 22 February and will last forone week,” Javed Faisal, Afghanistan’s National Security Councilspokesperson, told AFP.
The Taliban did not immediately respond to requests for comment, andUS-Forces declined to comment.
If the partial truce goes ahead, it would mark a historic step in more than18 years of gruelling conflict in Afghanistan and would pave the way for adeal that could, ultimately, see the war end.
The United States has for more than a year been in talks with the Talibanfor a deal in which it would pull out thousands of troops in return for aset of Taliban security guarantees and commitments.
A reduction in violence would show the Taliban can control their forces anddemonstrate good faith ahead of the deal, which would see the Pentagonwithdraw about half of the 12,000-13,000 troops currently in Afghanistan.
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The US and the Taliban have been tantalisingly close to a deal before, onlyto see President Donald Trump nix it in September at the 11th hour amidcontinued insurgent violence.
Afghan officials have said the US-Taliban deal could be signed February 29in Doha, assuming the planned lull in violence proceeds to plan.
But any truce comes fraught with danger, and analysts warn the attempt tostem Afghanistan’s bloodshed is fraught with complications and could failat any time.
Or, worse still, they say warring parties could exploit a lull toreconfigure their forces and secure a battlefield advantage. – APP / AFP
