Latest News
Afghan troops withdraw from Helmand counts tactical move
Afghanistan National Defense Ministry says that the Afghan troops pull out from Musa Qala district of Helmand province was a tactical move not a retreat.
The ministry noted that with abandoning the security outpost in Musa Qala, the Afghan troops will soon launch a widespread operation on the armed Taliban group.
Afghan forces on Saturday pulled out of bases in Musa Qala, a strategic district of the southern province of Helmand, after months of heavy fighting with Taliban insurgents.
Helmand, a traditional heartland of the Taliban and one of the world's biggest centers of opium production, has been threatened for months and the United States recently sent hundreds of soldiers to the province to bolster its defense.
“We have managed a regular plan with the ministry of interior to embedding powers for once again. The people will witness that we defeat the enemy by this move,” said Dawlat Waziri, spokesman of the defense ministry.
Helmand’s governor has also accepted that Afghan troops have changed positions not retreated in Musa Qala.
“This was a tactical move; pulling out from one place and replacing in another place,” said Mirza Khan Rahimi, governor of Helmand province.
Fierce fighting has raged in Musa Qala and other parts of Helmand for months and the Taliban overran the district in August last year before they were driven back by Afghan forces backed by U.S. airstrikes.
Musa Qala itself is a dry and sparsely inhabited district that British and American troops fought hard to control between 2006 and 2008 but its loss could bring further losses elsewhere, including Sangin where government forces have been clinging on.
Although Helmand has been one of the provinces most at risk, the Taliban have been pushing forward across the country, putting severe strain on government troops, fighting alone since international forces ended most combat operations in 2014.
Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Thursday met with Iranian Deputy Justice Minister Askar Jalalian in Kabul, where they discussed refugees, prisoners, economic and political cooperation.
Muttaqi, while appreciating Iran’s hosting of Afghan refugees for four decades, called on Tehran to treat refugees well and be patient towards them, Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement.
He also said that the Islamic Emirate is committed to cooperate with Iran in relation to the repatriation of Afghan prisoners, asking the Iranian Deputy Minister of Justice to cooperate fully in this regard.
According to the statement, Iran's deputy justice minister said Tehran was following recent developments in Afghanistan and was pleased with the stability.
He added that the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its cooperation and, based on the agreements reached, will transfer Afghan prisoners in the near future.
Russia and Pakistan urged "enhanced" coordination among regional countries Thursday for a "peaceful and prosperous" Afghanistan, according to a statement from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry.
The call was made during a meeting between Russian Special Envoy to Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov and Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch in Islamabad where the two sides exchanged views on relations with Afghanistan.
Kabulov arrived in Islamabad for a visit earlier in the day.
A Qatari aircraft carrying medical aid and four ambulances touched down on Thursday at Kabul Airport.
The aid, provided by Qatar Fund for Development, was received by Deputy Minister of Public Health Bakht-ur-Rahman Sharafat and Qatar's Acting Chargé d'Affaires to Afghanistan Mirdef bin Ali Al Qashouti, Qatar's foreign ministry said in a statement.
"This aid comes within the framework of the State of Qatar's efforts and its firm commitment to providing support and standing by the brotherly Afghan people, and providing them with their urgent and necessary needs," the statement said.
Top IEA and Iranian officials meet to discuss refugees, prisoners
Sri Lankan president’s coalition wins majority in general election
Russia, Pakistan urge ‘enhanced’ coordination for ‘peaceful and prosperous’ Afghanistan
Qatari aircraft carrying medical aid arrives in Kabul
Tahawol: Transfer of 1,000 Afghan prisoners from Iran to Kabul discussed
Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce leaves for Kazakhstan
Afghanistan produces its own buses for urban transportation
China to offer Afghanistan tariff-free trade
Hezbollah says it will escalate war with Israel after Hamas leader killed
Private sectors of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan sign contracts worth $100 million
Tahawol: Transfer of 1,000 Afghan prisoners from Iran to Kabul discussed
Saar: Calls for complete implementation of Doha Agreement discussed
Tahawol: NATO’s concern over proximity of Russia & North Korea discussed
Tahawol: IEA’s diplomatic progress discussed
Saar: Obstacles and opportunities for IEA’s recognition
-
Sport3 days agoGurbaz ton guides Afghanistan to seal ODI series over Bangladesh
-
World4 days agoTrump, Putin speak as Biden plans to lobby Trump to stick with Ukraine
-
Latest News4 days agoAfghanistan’s de facto consulate in Mumbai starts issuing passports
-
Latest News5 days agoMalala Yousafzai calls for global support for women in Afghanistan
-
Latest News5 days agoMore than 300 Afghans deported from Turkey in past two days
-
Tahawol5 days agoTahawol: IEA’s claim on world’s security concerns discussed
-
Regional4 days agoNetanyahu claims he and Trump see ‘eye to eye’ on Iran after holding 3 calls within days
-
Saar4 days agoSaar: Obstacles and opportunities for IEA’s recognition