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Taliban Announces Prisoner Release

Ayesha Tanzeem

   ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - The Taliban announced late Wednesday it will soon
   release remaining imprisoned Afghan security force members, a day after
   a similar announcement from Afghanistan's president, Ashraf Ghani,
   indicating that the start of negotiations between the warring factions
   in Afghanistan may be close.

   "The Islamic Emirate due to compassion of the Amirul-Momineen and as a
   goodwill gesture, will release the remaining prisoners of the Kabul
   Administration before Eid al-Adha, thus completing the release of 1000
   prisoners," Tweeted Suhail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesman based in Doha.

   Ghani had indicated Tuesday that intra-Afghan negotiations with the
   Taliban were imminent.

   "With this action, we look forward to the start of direct negotiations
   with the Taliban in a week's time," he said, announcing the decision to
   release the remaining of the 5,000 total Taliban prisoners.

   Both sides also have agreed to a three-day cease-fire during the Muslim
   holy festival of Eid.

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