Category: South East Asia

3 killed, 20 wounded in Quetta suicide bombing

Three people were killed and 20 others wounded in a suicide attack on a security checkpoint in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province on Sunday. The suicide bombing targeted a Frontier Constabulary check-post on the Mastung road in Quetta, the provincial capital, a senior police officer said. Azhar Akram, deputy inspector-general of Quetta police, told reporters 18 of the injured were security […]

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Taliban pledges to form inclusive and accountable govt

The Taliban on Sunday vowed to form an “inclusive and accountable” government in Afghanistan. Taliban Deputy Leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said that the government would be formed soon. “We are working to form an inclusive government that represents all the people of Afghanistan, but security is essential to start big economic projects in Afghanistan,” Baradar stated. He emphasized that […]

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Consequences Of Events In Afghanistan For Iran – OpEd

The Biden administration’s decision to withdraw from Afghanistan by August 31 has created instability in the country has resulted in instability in the country. Following this decision, the Taliban in the country became active and took full control of 210 provinces and the capital. A temporary committee headed by former President Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah was then set up […]

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Taliban Article Rebuts ISIS Accusations Of Deviation From Earlier Ideology, States: The Taliban Do Not Fight ISIS On Behalf Of West

In an article published in the Taliban’s monthly magazine, Al-Somood, which was released[1] on August 31, 2021, writer Karim Al-Nakadi argued that the views held by the Taliban today are consistent with the Taliban of the past, and responded to several accusations made against the Taliban, including the claim that they fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) on behalf of […]

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Osama bin Laden’s top aide returns to Afghanistan

A close senior aide to Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden has returned to Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan two weeks after the Taliban seized control of the country. A video verified by the The National shows Amin ul-Haq being driven through a checkpoint in the passenger seat of a white four-wheel-drive to a rapturous welcome by supporters. Ul-Haq, 61, […]

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Afghanistan’s Growing Humanitarian Crisis

Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, the humanitarian emergency there has become even more dire. This briefing note outlines the most pressing issues and steps to help relieve the suffering. Dramatic scenes at the Kabul airport of Afghans desperate to leave the country, and horrific bombings there, captured the world’s attention in the weeks after the Taliban took power. […]

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With the Taliban Back in Kabul, Regional Powers Watch and Wait

On 15 August, the Taliban capped their drive for power in Afghanistan by taking Kabul, the country’s capital, for the first time since they ruled most of the country from 1996 to 2001. With the previous government’s collapse, the group is now the de facto power throughout the country and is in the process of forming a new government and […]

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Clashes break out between Taliban and resistance movement

Clashes erupted between the Taliban and the resistance movement on Thursday in Gulbahar, the entrance gate of Panjshir province, and both sides used heavy and light weapons. Both sides accused each other of initiating the clash. The resistance movement said the Taliban started the clashes. “The enemy attacked Panjshir province form Andarab route twice and suffered heavy casualties,” said Fahim […]

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Abbas, Indian envoy discuss stranded Indians issue

Indian Ambassador to Qatar Deepak Mittal has met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the Head of Taliban’s Political Office in Doha and discussed security situation and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan, according to a statement on Tuesday. The meeting took place at the Embassy of India, Doha, on the request of the Taliban side. Discussions focused on safety, […]

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India announces first formal meeting with Taliban

India’s ambassador to Qatar held talks with a top Taliban leader on Tuesday, the Indian foreign ministry said, the first formal diplomatic engagement since the Taliban took over Afghanistan. The envoy, Deepak Mittal, met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the head of the Taliban’s Political Office in Doha, at the request of the Taliban, the foreign ministry said.The foreign ministry said […]

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