WATCH: Some 900 Taliban members were freed from Afghanistan's largest prison outside Kabul as part of a prisoner swap under a cease-fire deal.
KABUL -- Even though calls for the Taliban to prolong a cease-fire with the Afghan government have gone unanswered so far, there have been no signs of renewed fighting and the militants say they will release more prisoners.
A Taliban-declared three-day lull in fighting, which ended on May 26, provided a rare break from the violence, prompting the government to call on the militants to extend the cease-fire so long-delayed peace talks could begin.
Amid the cease-fire, Afghan authorities released some 1,000 Taliban prisoners -- part of a pledge by the government to free up to 2,000 militants in response to the Taliban's cease-fire move.
A senior member of the Taliban on May 27 told the AFP news agency that the militants were planning to free about 50 to 100 Afghan security force members as early as May 28.
The Afghan government has also called on the Taliban to extend the cease-fire.
"If the Taliban are ready to extend the cease-fire, we are ready to continue the cease-fire too," National Security Council spokesman Javid Faisal said on May 27, adding that the future of negotiations "depends on the Taliban's next move."
Earlier, a senior Taliban figure was quoted as saying the group was considering an extension of the cease-fire “if these developments, like the announcement of prisoner release, continue."
The prisoner exchange is part of a February 29 U.S.-Taliban agreement that did not include the Afghan government. Under the deal, Washington agreed to pull its troops out of the country in exchange for security guarantees.
Hundreds Of Taliban Prisoners Freed By Afghanistan Under Cease-Fire Deal
1/16Some of the 100 Taliban prisoners released from the Bagram prison north of Kabul on May 25. The release came amid a three-day cease-fire for the Eid al-Fitr holiday that ends the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. Afghan officials called on the Taliban to extend the cease-fire.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
2/16Former Taliban prisoners stand in front of a portrait of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as they attend a ceremony at the governor's office after being released by authorities in Herat on May 26.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
3/16Afghan National Army soldiers register Taliban prisoners during their release from Bagram prison, located about 50 kilometers north of Kabul. A spokesman for Afghanistan's national-security adviser said that the former Taliban fighters had promised not to return to the battlefield.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
4/16Taliban members attend a ceremony at the governor's office on May 26 after being released by authorities in Herat. During the cease-fire, Afghan authorities have released some 1,100 Taliban prisoners while the militant group has so far freed 245 Afghan security personnel, civil servants, and other people it had been holding.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
5/16Taliban prisoners during their release from Bagram prison. A senior Taliban member said the militant group was planning to free about 50 to 100 Afghan security forces members as early as May 28. Under the cease-fire deal, the Taliban has promised to release about 1,000 detainees that it is holding.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
6/16Taliban prisoners sit inside a vehicle during their release from Bagram prison.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
7/16An Afghan National Army soldier talks with Taliban prisoners as they sit inside a vehicle during their release from Bagram prison.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
8/16Taliban prisoners sit inside a vehicle during their release from Bagram prison.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
9/16Afghan National Army soldiers escort a convoy of Taliban prisoners during their release from Bagram prison, outside the U.S. military base in Bagram, some 50 kilometers north of Kabul.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
10/16An Afghan National Army soldier escorts Taliban prisoners during their release from Bagram prison.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
11/16Taliban prisoners during their release from Bagram prison on May 25.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
12/16Former Taliban prisoners stop a taxi in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on May 26 -- a day after their release from Bagram prison.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
13/16A freed Taliban member hugs relatives after his release from Bagram prison on May 25.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
14/16Some of the 900 Taliban prisoners pray on May 26 after being released from Pul-e-Charkhi prison, Afghanistan's largest detention facility.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
15/16A newly freed Taliban prisoner takes a selfie as others have juice and biscuits outside Pul-e-Charkhi prison near Kabul on May 26. Former detainees were given new clothes and cash.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
16/16A freed Taliban member sits outside Pul-e-Charkhi prison on May 26. Many former detainees were transported to their homes after their release.
Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war. The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
Previous slide
Next slide
On May 26, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had not set a target date for a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, amid speculation he may make ending the United States' longest war a campaign issue ahead of November's presidential election.
"We're there 19 years and, yeah, I think that's enough.... We can always go back if we want to," Trump told a White House news conference. "I have no target. But as soon as reasonable.”
U.S. troops are in Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. A few thousand U.S. troops cooperate with 16,500-strong NATO-led force to train, advise, and assist Afghan forces.
A key point of the February deal between the Taliban and the United States involved a U.S. commitment to reduce its military presence in Afghanistan from about 13,000 to 8,600 by mid-July in a first stage, before a complete withdrawal by May next year.
But U.S. and NATO officials speaking on condition of anonymity have said U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan is down to nearly 8,600, well ahead of schedule, in part because of concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.
Trump said there were "7,000-some-odd" U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, but officials clarified that number was slightly over 8,600 troops.
Washington also pays about $4 billion a year to maintain the Afghan security force.
RFE/RL's Radio Azadi is one of the most popular and trusted media outlets in Afghanistan. Nearly half of the country's adult audience accesses Azadi's reporting on a weekly basis.
