130 Taliban members cross sides, join peace process

A group of 130 armed Taliban led by Maulvi Mardan joined the peace process in Herat on Thursday, officials confirmed.

Herat Governor Abdul Sabor Qani said the group had been active in areas of Herat’s Shindand district, and that many villages in the area were under the group’s control.

Local officials in Herat said the group entered the government’s peace program based on the efforts of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the provincial council and tribal elders.

The governor of Herat emphasized that these people will join the security forces in order to maintain security and confront the armed opposition.