Rival Afghan Taliban factions agree on ceasefire

Representatives of a splinter group headed by Mullah Mohammad Rasool Akhund met senior Taliban leaders aligned with Mansoor in Quetta on Friday, said Al Jazeera’s Qais Azimy, reporting from the Afghan capital Kabul.

 

Our correspondent said the deal was reached after the two sides suffered heavy casualties during recent Taliban-on-Taliban fighting in Afghanistan.

 

“This is a very important agreement for Afghanistan,” he said, adding that the threat posed by a united Taliban could cause significant problems for Afghan forces when the annual fighting season kicks off in March.

 

“If these groups agree with each other, and fight against Afghan forces, the Afghan government will face a much stronger opposition,” he said.

 

He added, however, that a united Taliban may also enable Afghan peace talks to go ahead, as the government will be able to identify which group it needs to talk to.

 

Despite leadership disputes, the Taliban have made big advances this year, inflicting heavy casualties on Afghan forces fighting largely on their own since the withdrawal of most foreign combat troops last year.

 

Read More: Rival Afghan Taliban factions agree on ceasefire – Al Jazeera English