The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) have retaken parts of the Baghlan-e-Markazi district of northern Baghlan province which fell to the Taliban two weeks ago, local officials said Monday. According to officials, the Afghan forces launched ground and air operations to clear the district of Taliban on Sunday evening. Afghan military officials stated that so far 25 insurgents […]

Second Vice President Sarwar Danish said Monday that the Afghan government would never give in to “extremism” nor to an “Emirate” system. Danish stated that the Taliban wants to subdue the people of Afghanistan and the government through the use of violence; therefore. He said this was the reason the group was reluctant to take part in peace talks. Speaking […]

Two lawmakers on Sunday said they see an unclear policy by the Afghan government’s foreign policy toward Pakistan, referring to recent remarks by President Ashraf Ghani and his National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib about Islamabad’s policies. “Under the current situation and the ongoing peace process, unfortunately, there isn’t a unified view from the Republic. This is not in favor of […]

Troops from the United Kingdom and Canada are twice as likely to be killed in Afghanistan as compared to their U.S. counterparts, while the UK has also provided more economic and humanitarian assistance to the country than the U.S., the Guardian reported on a study published on Wednesday. According to the study published by the Costs of War project at […]

The National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan, or Junbish-e-Islami, led by former vice president Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum, has threatened to continue their protests over the new governor’s appointment in Faryab until the Afghan government listens to their demands. The protestors held a large rally in Faryab and prevented a helicopter carrying Mohammad Daud Laghmani, the new governor for Faryab, from […]

Shortly after the end of the three-day ceasefire, fighting escalated in at least 15 provinces since the early hours of Sunday. The Defense Ministry said that the Taliban violated the ceasefire in 21 provinces and that 21 civilians were killed and 33 more were wounded in their attacks during the three days of Eid ( May 13 to 15). But […]

The Taliban has agreed to begin substantive talks with the Republic team in Doha in the coming days, according to sources close to the group, which would end the peace process stalemate. The sources said that the group plans to attend the Istanbul summit, but wants the end negotiations to take place in Doha. The negotiating teams met in Doha […]

The Afghan National Army has launched offensives and started clearance operations in the south western parts of the country after the three-day Eid ceasefire ended at midnight Saturday. The 215th Maiwand Military Corps said in a statement, operations were launched simultaneously in besieged western areas of Lashkargah, Nawa and Nahri Saraj districts.“The Afghan defense forces are committed to suppressing, clearing […]

ISIS (Daesh) has claimed responsibility for Friday’s bombing at a mosque in Kabul that left at least 14 worshippers, including the mosque’s Imam, dead, SITE Intelligence Group reported. The explosion happened inside a mosque in Shakardarah district of Kabul province during Friday prayers. The explosion took place during a three-day Eid ceasefire between the Taliban and the Afghan government. According […]

Beijing aims to draw Central Asia neighbors into its Belt and Road but worries about a post-US troop withdrawal rise in terrorism Ten months after the first meeting of the foreign ministers of China and the five Central Asian states, Beijing followed through with a second session on May 11 at a gathering in Xian hosted by Foreign Minister Wang […]