KANDAHAR: A three-day ceasefire agreed by the warring Taliban and Afghan forces was due to come into force on Thursday, after weeks of intense clashes throughout the country. Violence has intensified in the country since Washington missed a May 1 deadline, agreed with the Taliban last year, to withdraw all of its troops. “He (Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada) wants to show that he is the owner of the war and peace,” said Afghan political analyst Fawad Kochai, based in Kabul. Washington and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization have pledged to withdraw their troops by September 11, leaving Afghan forces to defend themselves and protect the vulnerable population. While the militants have avoided engaging American troops, they have stepped up attacks against Afghan government forces.

Source: Manila Times May 13, 2021 06:22 UTC