CIA Director William Burns made a recent unannounced visit to Kabul, a senior politician and a well-placed public figure told The Associated Press, as concerns mount about Afghanistan’s capability to fight terrorism once the U.S. has withdrawn its remaining troops by summer. Separately, a senior former Afghan security official deeply familiar with the country’s counterterrorism program said two of six […]

Two B-52 long-range bombers arrived in the region around Afghanistan Friday to bolster security as the U.S. prepares to withdraw all 2,500 troops from the country by September, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

Between the Hesco blocks and makeshift barricades at a checkpoint near the village of Arghandeh, Afghan police and soldiers keep watch for Taliban activity. About 100,000 vehicles pass through the roadblock every day, the police said. It is one of six gates controlling the major roads leading to the Afghan capital and often comes under attack. Security forces and civilians […]

Data collected by TOLOnews show that 44 civilians and 81 security force members were killed in separate security incidents and Taliban attacks across Afghanistan since the start of the holy month of Ramadan on April 13. The statistics show that 79 security members and 33 civilians were killed during this period. The Ministry of Defense said that the Taliban also […]

The head of U.S. forces in the Middle East said on Thursday that he was concerned about the ability of the Afghan security forces to hold territory after the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the country in the coming months. President Joe Biden announced last week that the United States will withdraw its remaining 2,500 troops from Afghanistan by […]

U.S. commanders have asked for the deployment of an aircraft carrier to help protect US and NATO troops as they withdraw from Afghanistan, two senior Defense officials told NBC News. According to NBC, with fighter squadrons at the ready, an aircraft carrier in the region could provide additional cover in case U.S. and other NATO forces come under fire as […]

The U.S. military has begun shipping equipment and winding down contracts with local service providers ahead of the May 1 start of the final phase of its military pullout from Afghanistan, a U.S. Defense Department official said Thursday, The Associated Press reported. Currently, 2,500 U.S. soldiers and about 7,000 NATO forces are still in Afghanistan. In February last year, the […]

Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan, Turkey, and Pakistan will hold a trilateral meeting to discuss the Afghan peace process in Istanbul on Friday. Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar will discuss the latest development in the peace process with his Pakistani and Turkish counterparts, Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Mevlut Cavusoglu. The Ministry said that the Trilateral Meeting would play a “significant role” […]

Afghanistan, Turkey, and Pakistan on Friday called on the Taliban to reaffirm their commitment to achieving an inclusive negotiated settlement leading to lasting peace in Afghanistan. The Foreign Ministers of these countries held a trilateral meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, and discussed the Afghan peace process. Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar, who was tested positive for COVID-19, virtually attended the conference. […]

At least five people were killed and three more were wounded in Taliban attacks in Ghor and Prawan provinces on Wednesday evening local official and a source confirmed on Thursday. Four people, including a government employee and three students, were killed in an attack “by Taliban” in Dawlatyar district, Ghor province, on Wednesday evening, the provincial governor Abdulzahir Faiz Zada […]