Afghan 'reduction in violence' to start SaturdayIf the partial truce goes ahead, it would mark a historic step in more than 18 years of gruelling conflict in AfghanistanKABUL: A week-long "reduction in violence" between the Taliban, the US, and Afghan security forces will commence shortly, an official said Friday, ahead of the signing of a possible deal between Washington and the insurgents. "The reduction in violence will start from 22 February and will last for one week," Javed Faisal, Afghanistan's National Security Council spokesman, told AFP. Afghan officials have said the US-Taliban deal could be finalised February 29 in Doha, assuming the reduction in violence proceeds to plan. - 'It's happening' -A second Taliban official in Pakistan told AFP the reduction in violence might not start until Sunday. The Taliban leadership council has basically given a green light to start the reduction in violence and sign the deal," the official said, adding, "it's happening".

Source: Bangkok Post February 21, 2020 07:52 UTC