100 Taliban militants to be released from Afghan jails

The prisoner swap is part of confidence-building measures crucial for the success of the peace deal signed between the US and the Taliban to end nearly two decades of war.

Afghans watch a live TV broadcast at a restaurant during an agreement-signing ceremony between the US and the Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan on February 29, 2020.
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Afghans watch a live TV broadcast at a restaurant during an agreement-signing ceremony between the US and the Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan on February 29, 2020.

The Afghan government will release 100 Taliban prisoners from jails on Thursday, said a senior security official, adding that in exchange, the Taliban would release 20 Afghan security members.

The prisoner swap is part of confidence-building measures crucial for the success of the peace deal signed between the US and the Taliban to end nearly two decades of war.

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The release of 100 Taliban militants is the first step towards a subsequent exchange of 6,000 prisoners held by the Afghan government and the insurgent group.

The Taliban were not immediately available for comment.

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