The government announcement came after the guerrillas proposed a three-day truce for Eid al-Fitr. Peace talks ran aground on the problem of the exchange of prisoners. The US will withdraw by 2021. So far the conflict has killed 157,000, including 43,000 civilians.

Axar.az reports that the Afghan government will free 2,000 Taliban prisoners, President Ashraf Ghani announced yesterday. The day before, the Islamic guerrillas had said they were ready to respect a three-day truce for Eid al-Fitr, the feast that closes Ramadan, the month of prayer and fasting sacred to Islam.

Kabul authorities have said they are ready to resume peace talks with fundamentalist militiamen. Last month the two sides met to try to end the conflict, which has been going on for almost 20 years; talks ran aground on the issue of the exchange of prisoners.