Latest News
IS rebels claim capture of US weapons in Afghanistan
Militants linked to Islamic State (IS) have released photos that purport to show weapons and equipment that belonged to American soldiers and were captured by the group in eastern Afghanistan, Reuters reported.
According to Reuters, the photos, which came to light on Saturday, show an American portable rocket launcher, radio, grenades and other gear not commonly used by Afghan troops, as well as close up views of identification cards for a U.S. Army soldier, Specialist Ryan Larson.
The U.S. military command in Kabul denied any suggestion the soldier had been captured, saying he “has been accounted for and remains in a duty status within his unit.”
American special operations troops have been fighting alongside Afghan forces in a renewed offensive against militants who claim allegiance to Islamic State in Nangarhar Province, which borders Pakistan.
“SPC Larson was attached to a unit conducting a partnered (operation) with Afghan Forces,” U.S. military spokesman Commander Ron Flesvig said in an emailed statement on Sunday. “The soldier’s I.D. and some of the equipment were left behind after the (operation). The loss of personal identification is unfortunate.”
In July, U.S. commanders said at least five special forces were injured in fighting in the province.
The website that published the photos speculated that the equipment and weapons were left behind during that engagement, but Flesvig said American officials are still trying to determine exactly when and how it was lost.
The push in Nangarhar came after President Barack Obama cleared American troops to take a more active role in fighting militants in Afghanistan.
Besides advising work and special operations missions, American aircraft deployed at least 545 weapons in the first six months of 2016.
US Vice President JD Vance said on Friday that Joe Biden administration left about $80 billion worth of military equipment in Afghanistan, which was a “catastrophic error.”
Vance made the remarks during a visit to a military base in Greenland.
He also said the Biden administration’s “catastrophic error” led to the deaths of 13 US soldiers in an attack during the evacuation at Kabul airport in August 2021.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump also criticized the abandonment of military equipment in Afghanistan and called for its return.
The Islamic Emirate, however, has said that the weapons left by the US in Afghanistan belong to the Afghans and will not be returned.
The Supreme Court announced on Saturday that based on the ruling of the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate, 2,463 prisoners have been pardoned and released on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.
The court said in a statement that the prison terms of another 3,152 prisoners have been reduced.
Eid in Afghanistan will be celebrated on Sunday or Monday, depending on the moon sighting.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs on Saturday announced that feasibility studies of dams in four provinces of the country will begin this solar year.
The Economic Commission, led by Deputy PM Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, in its recent meeting decided to include the survey and feasibility projects of Grumby Dam in Maidan Wardak, Qara Tiri Dam in Balkh, Shana Nari Dam in Kandahar, and Wuch Nari Dam in Paktia in the budget for the fiscal year 1404.
In the meeting, the issues of construction of the Kandahar bypass highway, construction of Arghistan Dam, 90 km of electricity line from Kabul to Jalalabad, and completion of Sheikh Misri substation in Jalalabad were also discussed, and it was decided that the Ministry of Finance will allocate the revenues obtained from the Ganda Kotal lead and zinc mine in Yakawlang district of Bamyan province to these projects.
The Economic Commission meeting also approved a plan for the private sector’s investment in a 40 megawatts solar power generation project in the Hesar Shahi Industrial Park in Nangarhar province. According the plan, the private sector will invest $50.69 million in the project.
Global organizations warn of health crisis due to aid cuts in Afghanistan
About $80 billion worth of US military equipment abandoned in Afghanistan: Vance
IEA frees over 2,400 prisoners on the occasion of Eid
Chennai grapple with IPL home truth after Bengaluru defeat
Economic Commission approves feasibility studies of four dams in different provinces
Next German chancellor: We need to learn from experience in Afghanistan
Islamabad says Afghanistan is trying to build border post on Pakistani territory
Over 500,000 Afghans displaced due to climate disasters in 2024: IOM
Afghanistan beat Greenland 5-4 in Brazil futsal tournament
Afghanistan’s futsal team to face Greenland in Brazil tournament
Tahawol: IEA leader’s call for global engagement discussed
Saar: Ukraine’s response to Russia’s Black Sea deal discussed
Tahawol: Concerns over rising tensions between Iran-US reviewed
Saar: Russia-Ukraine Black Sea deal discussed
Tahawol: Overview of recent developments in Türkiye
-
Sport5 days agoACB names Afghanistan A squad for tri-nation series
-
International Sports4 days agoIPL 2025: Last over drama; Ashutosh Sharma clinches win for Delhi Capitals
-
Regional4 days agoEgypt makes new proposal to restore Gaza truce as Israeli strikes kill 65
-
Sport4 days agoAfghanistan eliminated from Asian Beach Soccer Championship
-
Latest News4 days agoNorwegian Refugee Council cuts back on essential humanitarian services in Afghanistan
-
Latest News4 days agoUN warns over 4 million Afghan girls will be deprived of education by 2030 if ban continues
-
World3 days agoSecretive Chinese network tries to lure fired US federal workers, research shows
-
Latest News4 days agoDozens of needy families in Ghazni get much needed food aid from Bayat Foundation