KABUL: The Afghan Taliban on Saturday announced a three-day cease-fire over the Eid holiday at the end of this week, their first offer of its kind, following a cease-fire announced by the government on Thursday.
The militants said foreign forces would be excluded from the cease-fire and that operations against them would continue. They also said they would defend themselves against any attack.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced an unconditional cease-fire with the Taliban on Thursday, coinciding with the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, but excluding other militant groups, such as Daesh.
Ghani’s decision came after a meeting of Islamic clerics declared a fatwa, or ruling, against suicide bombings, one of which, claimed by Daesh, killed 14 people at the entrance to the clerics’ peace tent in Kabul.
The clerics also recommended a cease-fire with the Taliban, who are seeking to reimpose strict Islamic law after their ouster in 2001, and Ghani endorsed the recommendation, saying it would last until June 20.
It was not immediately clear when the Taliban cease-fire would begin, as Eid starts when the moon is first sighted on either the 29th or 30th day of Ramadan, and the moon appears at different times across the country.
Ghani has urged cease-fires with the Taliban before, but this was the first unconditional offer since he was elected in 2014.
In August, US President Donald Trump unveiled a more hawkish military approach to Afghanistan, including a surge in air strikes, aimed at forcing the Taliban to the negotiating table.
Afghan security forces say the impact has been significant, but the Taliban roam huge swaths of the country and, with foreign troop levels of about 15,600, down from 140,000 in 2014, there appears little hope of outright victory.
Afghan Taliban announce Eid cease-fire after president’s unconditional offer
Afghan Taliban announce Eid cease-fire after president’s unconditional offer
- The militants said foreign forces would be excluded from the cease-fire and that operations against them would continue
- Afghan security forces say the impact has been significant, but the Taliban roam huge swaths of the country and, with foreign troop levels of about 15,600, down from 140,000 in 2014
Heroic effort by security personnel at the Grand Mosque saves man’s life
- Saudi interior minister thanks and praises security guard for his actions
- Suicide attempt at the Grand Mosque in Makkah foiled after guard intervenes to prevent fatal fall
RIYADH: Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of the Interior, on Friday reached out to the security guard injured at the Grand Mosque in Makkah while saving a man trying to commit suicide, and praised his bravery.
The heroic effort by the security guard on duty at the Masjid Al Haram saved the life of a man who attempted suicide by jumping from the top floor of the Grand Mosque.
A swift intervention by the security guard averted the fatal fall, the Saudi authorities said on Thursday.
In a post on X, the official account of the Emarah, Makkah Region, said: “The special force for the security of the Grand Mosque has promptly initiated proceedings in a case where a person jumped from an upper level of the Grand Mosque, and a security man was injured while attempting to prevent him from hitting the ground at the time of his fall.”
The interior minister personally contacted soldier Rayan bin Saeed bin Yahya Al-Ahmad to inquire about his recovery after he suffered injuries in the line of duty at the Grand Mosque.
Al-Ahmad sustained multiple injuries while trying to break the man’s fall and prevent him hitting the ground. Medical teams quickly reached the site and after preliminary check-ups rushed both men to hospital for treatment.
The minister commended Al-Ahmad’s bravery, commitment, and heightened awareness during the incident, qualities that demonstrate his dedication to his security mission.
The interior minister told the officer that his response exemplifies the high principles security forces uphold while serving the religion and the country.
The minister characterized the intervention as “far more than routine duty” — describing it as a selfless humanitarian act embodying supreme sacrifice and reflecting the exceptional preparedness and professional capability required to manage critical situations at Islam’s holiest site.
The minister highlighted the unwavering support and care security personnel receive from the Saudi leadership in appreciation of their contributions and sacrifices in safeguarding the Grand Mosque and the pilgrims.
This backing, he noted, provides essential encouragement for maintaining distinguished performance in security operations.
Prince Abdulaziz concluded the call by praying for the officer’s swift recovery and safe return to duty.
As social media filled with the heroic story, Saeed Al-Qahtani, a social media user, praised the life-saving attempt saying: “Is it a military vigilance or a human spirit inhabiting that uniform? Between one heartbeat and the next, and in the heart of reassurance, the security man rescues a desperate soul; transforming the disaster into a heroic rescue story and a smart reading of the features of breakdown before it’s too late. You are not a guardian of a place, you are a guardian of lives.”
