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Hunger strike by Afghan war detainees winding down

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (CNN) -- U.S. military officials in charge of Afghan war captives being held in Cuba say a hunger strike that began in late February has virtually ended.

Twenty-three Taliban and al Qaeda suspects skipped breakfast Thursday, while 25 detainees turned down dinner Wednesday night, officials said. They said three prisoners at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay have consistently refused to eat since Friday.

EXTRA INFORMATION Photo gallery: Images from Camp X-Ray What the Geneva Conventions say Map: U.S. Naval station at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba

The Navy base's temporary detention facility, called Camp X-Ray, is holding 300 detainees.

About 18 detainees have received liquids intravenously to combat dehydration since the strike began February 27. One of the IVs had to be administered forcibly, officials said. There were no reports of IVs administered Thursday.

At its peak, nearly 200 detainees participated in the hunger strike. The protest began after guards burst into a prisoner's cell following his refusal to remove a homemade turban during prayers, violating a camp rule aimed at preventing detainees from concealing contraband.

The guards said they were unaware the detainee was praying when they went into his cell. The prayer interruption upset the other prisoners.

The prohibition of turbans has been rescinded.