Afghans Call for Peace as Eid Ceasefire Nears to End

Afghans across the country on Saturday said that despite some incidents of violence, the majority of the people managed to celebrate Eid in relative calm in the last three days due to reciprocal ceasefire between the Taliban and the Afghan government.

Many of the youths during these days flocked to the picnic points to spend their time together with friends and families.

Videos on social media show that some people in Taliban-influenced areas also flocked to picnic sites to spend their time in a peaceful environment.

“People are happy. We are tired of explosions and suicide attacks,” said Tamim, a Kabul resident.

“We spend the three days of Eid in a happy way, we want peace, we want an end to war,” said a resident in Kabul Ahmad Fawad.

“Three days of ceasefire will not heal our pain. There should be a permanent ceasefire and peace,” said Juma Khan, a resident of Kabul.

The Defense Ministry said the Taliban has violated the ceasefire in at least 10 provinces in the last three days.

Rohullah Ahmadzai, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, said that at least 40 people were killed and wounded in scattered Taliban attacks in various regions of the country.

Taliban has denied the allegations as baseless.