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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

Wednesday 12 August 2020 09:43 BST
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President Ashraf Ghani signs the decree in Kabul on Monday
President Ashraf Ghani signs the decree in Kabul on Monday

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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