Taliban tried to take advantage of relative vacuum in absence of int’l troops, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah tells Anadolu Agency The head of Afghanistan’s High Council for National Reconciliation accused the Taliban of trying to “take advantage of relative vacuum after the withdrawal of foreign troops in the country,” and said that Turkey’s presence in the Kabul International Airport is ‘important.’ […]

The Afghan government on Saturday announced the appointment of Gen. Bismillah Khan Mohammadi as new acting minister of defense and Gen. Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal as acting minister of interior, a major shake-up in the country’s security sector in the middle of surging violence that has been gripping Afghanistan on various fronts. President Ghani also appointed Gen. Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai as […]

Former foreign minister and former national security adviser Rangin Dadfar Spanta on Saturday asked Afghan political leaders to come together and unite in support of Afghanistan’s National Defense and Security Forces. He said this will help to reduce casualties among security forces as the fighting intensifies on multiple fronts. Speaking at the funeral ceremony of Lieut. Colonel Sohrab Azimi, a […]

Germany said on Friday it was ready to take in more local staff who have been working for its military in Afghanistan as NATO’s mission there winds down. The decision follows calls for Berlin to accelerate the process by which hundreds of Afghans who worked for the German military can resettle in Germany because of fears for their security if […]

Sources confirmed on Saturday morning that the Taliban has seized control of two districts in Takhar and Faryab provinces. A security source told Ariana that Taliban seized control of Baharak district of Takhar province last night. The source said that more than 50 uprising force members, policemen, and NDS soldiers have surrender to the Taliban. The source added that five […]

The Taliban insurgents captured centers of eight districts in the last 24 hours, sources said Saturday. Local officials told Ariana News that the militants have seized control of Khwaja Sabz Posh and Juma Bazar in Faryab; Meer zaka in Paktia; Muradian in Jawzjan; Barak and Bangi in Takhar; Pusht Koh in Farah; Dara Suf Payan in Samangan; and Bazar Fabrika […]

As the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and the deadline for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan draws near, the region has been witnessing sudden adjustments. The Taliban have not only intensified assaults against the Afghan government forces and captured new territories but also began to demonstrate their regional ambitions to reduce Washington’s influence in Central and South […]

NPR’s Audie Cornish speaks with John F. Sopko, special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction. He’s calling for continued oversight of U.S. funding there as American presence declines. AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: The U.S. will pull all troops out of Afghanistan in the coming weeks but will continue its financial presence in the country with about $7.5 billion already set aside so […]

The United Nations is preparing for a likely further displacement of civilians in Afghanistan after US and international troops leave the country in September, UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi said on Monday as quoted by Reuters. Violence has remained high in the country over the last two months, leading to the displacement of thousands of families in northern and southern […]

US President Joe Biden at a press conference after the NATO leaders’ summit in Brussels on Monday “there was a strong consensus in the room, among the leaders, in that meeting, on Afghanistan,” reiterating that the alliance will continue its support to Afghans after the withdrawal of international troops from the country. “Our troops are coming home, but we agreed […]