US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Friday that the US and the Taliban have reached an "understanding" that could result in a "reduction in violence" in Afghanistan. The US and Taliban are due to sign the agreement on February 29.
"After decades of conflict, we have come to an understanding with the Taliban on a significant reduction in violence across Afghanistan," Pompeo wrote on Twitter.
He described the latest development as an important step on a long road to peace, calling on Afghans to seize this opportunity. Meanwhile, an Afghan government official announced Friday that the "reduction in violence" agreement between the Taliban, the United States, and the Afghan security forces will take place Saturday.
If the partial truce is implemented, it will be a historic step during the 18-year war in Afghanistan and could pave the way for an agreement that might allow an end to the war.
For more than a year, the US has been in talks with the Taliban to seek an agreement allowing it to withdraw thousands of its soldiers in exchange for security guarantees and obligations from the Taliban.
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