Afghanistan government to release 400 ‘hardcore’ Taliban prisoners after US pressure
Such a release is often a prelude to a ceasefire in civil wars, writes Kim Sengupta
The Afghan government is to release 400 “hardcore” Taliban and allied insurgent prisoners – a highly significant step, both militarily and symbolically, with far-reaching consequences for peace and war.
The fighters are the last and the most senior of 5,000 who have been freed as part of the deal made by the Americans with the Taliban over a ceasefire and the withdrawal of US forces.
The group of detainees, which includes fighters from the Haqqani Network as well as the Taliban, have been responsible for the multiple killings of civilians and security forces, both Afghan and foreign.
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