The Afghan Taliban on Saturday announced a surprise three-day ceasefire for the Eid, their first offer of its kind, though they said operations against "foreign occupiers" would continue. The militants also said they would defend themselves against any attack. "Members of the Taliban should not participate in public gatherings during the Eid festivities because the enemy could target us," they said in a statement. "In three days, maybe the unity of Taliban insurgents will be put to test," a European diplomat told Reuters. "If different factions don’t accept the ceasefire, then attacks will continue." Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban on Thursday, until June 20, but excluding other militant groups, such as ISIS. Ghanis decision came after a meeting of Islamic clerics declared a fatwa, or ruling, against suicide bombings, one of which, claimed by ISIS, killed 14 people at the entrance to the clerics peace tent in Kabul. The clerics also recommended a ceasefire with the Taliban. In February Ghani unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognising them as a political party. At the time he also called for a ceasefire.