The United States’ military mission in Afghanistan will officially end on August 31, US President Joe Biden announced Thursday during an update on the troop withdrawal process. Biden stated a Taliban takeover of Afghanistan is “not inevitable” because the Afghan military not only outnumbers the Taliban but is much better equipped. He also said the US intelligence community’s recent warning […]

Taliban fighters seized control on Thursday of a key district in western Afghanistan that includes a major border crossing with Iran, Afghan security officials said, as the Islamist insurgents continued their rapid military advances around the country. In the last week, the Taliban have overrun areas bordering five countries – Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, China and Pakistan – as foreign forces […]

A Taliban delegation in Moscow said on Friday that the group controlled over 85% of territory in Afghanistan and reassured Russia it would not allow the country to be used as a platform to attack others. Taliban negotiator Shahabuddin Dilawar says they have “85% of Afghan soil under their control.” Dilawar also said that the Taliban have controlled all 28 […]

Jihadi Leader Mohammad Ismail Khan has created a “public resistance movement” after the Taliban militants captured several districts including two key border towns in western Herat province. Dozens of civilians and fighters aligned with the prominent anti-Taliban commander gathered at a ceremony in Herat and picked up arms with plans to fight. Mohammad Ismail Khan said he would support efforts […]

President Ashraf Ghani has called on the Taliban to engage in peace talks “if you accept Sharia [Islamic Law].” Addressing an event during the inauguration of Khost International Airport on Saturday, Ghani implied that the Taliban are fighting for foreigners’ interests. “Do you [Taliban] accept Sharia? Then come sit [for talks], But they say no and prefer US agreement [US-Taliban […]

The Taliban militants have suffered heavy casualties in northern Sar-e-Pul province, local officials said. Sar-e-Pul Governor Abul Haq Shafaq told Ariana News that following fierce clashes with the militants the Afghan security and Defense Forces (ANSDF) managed to repulse the Taliban attacks in Balkhab district and the center of the province. According to Shafaq, at least 25 Taliban insurgents were […]

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey, the US, and NATO have agreed on the scope of how to maintain the security of the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. Erdogan said Friday the US has agreed to Turkey’s attached condition to provide security for the airport after the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan. He added that the […]

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad says that he has returned to Doha and the region “to continue our determined diplomacy in pursuit of a peace agreement between the Islamic Republic and the Taliban.” In a series of tweets, Khalilzad stated that a negotiated settlement is the only solution to end the long-term war in Afghanistan. Khalilzad added […]