VOA常速英语:阿富汗塔利班或与政府签订停火协定

This is VOA news. I'm David Byrd.
U.S. and Afghan officials announced a reduction-in-violence agreement with the Afghan Taliban Friday, in which both sides agree to stop offensive battles against each other. We get more from VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb.

A pause in fighting between the Taliban and Afghan and U.S.-led international forces is now underway - a first step, officials say, that could lead to the end of the 18-year war in Afghanistan.
One major concern is whether the Taliban will be able to keep its sprawling network of fighters off the battlefield.
If successful, U.S. and Taliban negotiators will sign a historic agreement on February 29, leading to political talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.
Officials say the United States would gradually draw down its forces to 8,600, with a senior U.S. defense official adding non-U.S. international forces there would reduce troop numbers by about 20 to 30 percent.
Carla Babb, VOA news, the Pentagon.