Doha (HRNW)Ā A week-long “reduction in violence” between the Taliban, the US and Afghan security forces will begin at midnight on Friday, officials confirm.
The agreement struck during negotiations between the US and Taliban representatives, if maintained, could secure a peace deal that would lead to a withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday that upon a successful implementation of this agreement, the US would move to sign a peace deal with the Taliban on February 29.
Earlier, Javid Faisal, spokesperson for the Afghan National Security Adviser, Hamdullah Mohib, said the reduction in violence (RIV) would start on Saturday.
A Taliban leader based in Doha also confirmed to Al Jazeera that the parties had agreed to the reduction in violence. The Afghan armed group, which was removed from power in a US-led invasion in 2001, is expected to make a formal announcement later on Friday.
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