Archive for December, 2020

EXPLAINER: How could US drawdown in Iraq aid IS, Iran?

In a quest to root out Islamic State group hideouts over the summer, Iraqi forces on the ground cleared nearly 90 villages across a notoriously unruly northern province. But the much-touted operation still relied heavily on U.S. intelligence, coalition flights and planning assistance.

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Angry Indian farmers besiege capital in trucks

Instead of cars, the normally busy highway on the outskirts of New Delhi that connects most northern Indian towns to the capital is filled with tens of thousands of protesting farmers, many wearing colorful turbans. Their convoy of trucks, trailers and tractors stretches for at least three kilometers (1.8 miles). Inside, they have hunkered down, supplied with enough food and […]

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TAPI construction to start in Herat next year

Minister of Mines and Petroleum Mohammad Haroon Chakhansuri on Thursday said that construction work on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline Project will kick off next year. Speaking at a press conference Chakhansuri said the ministry has established an effective coordination mechanism between government institutions involved in the TAPI project and also with international institutions and TAPI partners.

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Three killed, 19 wounded in Paktia car bomb

At least three NDS forces were killed and 19 civilians wounded on Thursday evening in a car bomb explosion in Gardez city, the capital of Paktia province.

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Khalilzad heads for Turkey and Qatar after peace talks breakthrough

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad left Washington Thursday for Turkey and Qatar where he will once again hold talks on the intra-Afghan negotiations. The US State Department said in a statement that when in Turkey, Khalilzad will discuss international coordination and Turkish support for Afghanistan’s peace talks.

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Germany eyes continued US backing in Afghanistan

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas believes the security of soldiers from his country cannot be ensured without continued support from the United States.

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Pakistan to ramp up efforts for truce in Afghanistan

As Doha peace talks continue at a sluggish pace, Pakistani has promised ramping up efforts to bring a lasting ceasefire to Afghanistan.

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Russian embassy staffers hurt in Kabul IED blast

Some Russian embassy staffers suffered minor injuries as the vehicle they were travelling in struck an improvised explosive device (IED). In Moscow, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said late on Tuesday that the occupants of the car suffered “mild concussions”.

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Taliban leader Salahuddin detained in Quetta

A senior Afghan Taliban leader has been detained in Quetta, the capital of southwestern Balochistan province, a Pakistani newspaper reported on Wednesday.

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Taliban not honouring peace pact: US

The Taliban are not honouring the peace pact they signed with America in February, says the US permanent representative to NATO. “Well, first of all, we never thought this peace process would be easy, and clearly it has not been,” Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison told an online news conference in Brussels.

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