Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf has expressed concern over the worsening situation in Afghanistan, terming it “extremely bad and out of Pakistan’s control”. Briefing the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Friday, he warned of an impending risk of an attack by Tehreek-i-Taliban, who, he said, could enter Pakistan from Afghanistan disguised as refugees. The national security adviser stressed […]

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 […]

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 […]

Afghan security forces have launched a clearing operation in Qala-e-Naw, capital of Badghis province, on Wednesday afternoon, provincial governor Hasamuddin Shams said. The Taliban has been “pushed back from several parts of the city,” said Shams, adding that “security forces are advancing.” “I assure you that all our security forces, including the special forces, are defending the city of Qala-e-Naw. […]

At least six policemen were killed in a Taliban attack in the Qala-e-Haidar Khan village of Paghman district in the west of Kabul. Security sources said that the Taliban launched an attack around 2:00 am on Tuesday night and seized all the weapons and other military equipment after killing the soldiers. The security sources said that the Taliban also sustained […]

A Taliban delegation led by the group’s negotiator Shir Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai is in Tehran where the delegation met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and other senior Iranian officials. The Taliban delegation is also expected to meet with a group of Afghan politicians, led by former vice president Younus Qanooni, who have travelled there from Kabul. The Taliban’s […]