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Afghanistan

Hundreds Of Taliban Prisoners Freed By Afghanistan Under Cease-Fire Deal

Since early April, Afghanistan has freed some 1,100 Taliban detainees as part of a prisoner-swap deal. The exchange is a precursor to peace talks between the Taliban and an Afghan government delegation aimed at ending the two-decade-old war.​ The agreement was struck in February in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States and lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

Some of the 100 Taliban prisoners released from the Bagram prison north of Kabul on May 25. The release came amid a three-day cease-fire for the Eid al-Fitr holiday that ends the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. Afghan officials called on the Taliban to extend the cease-fire.
1 Some of the 100 Taliban prisoners released from the Bagram prison north of Kabul on May 25. The release came amid a three-day cease-fire for the Eid al-Fitr holiday that ends the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. Afghan officials called on the Taliban to extend the cease-fire.
Former Taliban prisoners stand in front of a portrait of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as they attend a ceremony at the governor's office after being released by authorities in Herat on May 26.
2 Former Taliban prisoners stand in front of a portrait of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as they attend a ceremony at the governor's office after being released by authorities in Herat on May 26.
Afghan National Army soldiers register Taliban prisoners during their release from Bagram prison, located about 50 kilometers north of Kabul. A spokesman for Afghanistan's national-security adviser said that the former Taliban fighters had promised not to return to the battlefield.
3 Afghan National Army soldiers register Taliban prisoners during their release from Bagram prison, located about 50 kilometers north of Kabul. A spokesman for Afghanistan's national-security adviser said that the former Taliban fighters had promised not to return to the battlefield.
Taliban members attend a ceremony at the governor's office on May 26 after being released by authorities in Herat. During the cease-fire, Afghan authorities have released some 1,100 Taliban prisoners while the militant group has so far freed 245 Afghan security personnel, civil servants, and other people it had been holding.
4 Taliban members attend a ceremony at the governor's office on May 26 after being released by authorities in Herat. During the cease-fire, Afghan authorities have released some 1,100 Taliban prisoners while the militant group has so far freed 245 Afghan security personnel, civil servants, and other people it had been holding.
Taliban prisoners during their release from Bagram prison.  A senior Taliban member said the militant group was planning to free about 50 to 100 Afghan security forces members as early as May 28. Under the cease-fire deal, the Taliban has promised to release about 1,000 detainees that it is holding.
5 Taliban prisoners during their release from Bagram prison.  A senior Taliban member said the militant group was planning to free about 50 to 100 Afghan security forces members as early as May 28. Under the cease-fire deal, the Taliban has promised to release about 1,000 detainees that it is holding.
Taliban prisoners sit inside a vehicle during their release from Bagram prison.
6 Taliban prisoners sit inside a vehicle during their release from Bagram prison.
An Afghan National Army soldier talks with Taliban prisoners as they sit inside a vehicle during their release from Bagram prison.
7 An Afghan National Army soldier talks with Taliban prisoners as they sit inside a vehicle during their release from Bagram prison.
Taliban prisoners sit inside a vehicle during their release from Bagram prison.
8 Taliban prisoners sit inside a vehicle during their release from Bagram prison.
Afghan National Army soldiers escort a convoy of Taliban prisoners during their release from Bagram prison, outside the U.S. military base in Bagram, some 50 kilometers north of Kabul.
9 Afghan National Army soldiers escort a convoy of Taliban prisoners during their release from Bagram prison, outside the U.S. military base in Bagram, some 50 kilometers north of Kabul.
An Afghan National Army soldier escorts Taliban prisoners during their release from Bagram prison.
10 An Afghan National Army soldier escorts Taliban prisoners during their release from Bagram prison.
Taliban prisoners during their release from Bagram prison on May 25.
11 Taliban prisoners during their release from Bagram prison on May 25.
Former Taliban prisoners stop a taxi in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on May 26 -- a day after their release from Bagram prison.
12 Former Taliban prisoners stop a taxi in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on May 26 -- a day after their release from Bagram prison.
A freed Taliban member hugs relatives after his release from Bagram prison on May 25.
13 A freed Taliban member hugs relatives after his release from Bagram prison on May 25.
Some of the 900 Taliban prisoners pray on May 26 after being released from Pul-e-Charkhi prison, Afghanistan's largest detention facility.
14 Some of the 900 Taliban prisoners pray on May 26 after being released from Pul-e-Charkhi prison, Afghanistan's largest detention facility.
A newly freed Taliban prisoner takes a selfie as others have juice and biscuits outside Pul-e-Charkhi prison near Kabul on May 26. Former detainees were given new clothes and cash.
15 A newly freed Taliban prisoner takes a selfie as others have juice and biscuits outside Pul-e-Charkhi prison near Kabul on May 26. Former detainees were given new clothes and cash.
A freed Taliban member sits outside Pul-e-Charkhi prison on May 26. Many former detainees were transported to their homes after their release.
16 A freed Taliban member sits outside Pul-e-Charkhi prison on May 26. Many former detainees were transported to their homes after their release.

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