Latest News
Khalilzad heads for Turkey ahead of Istanbul Summit
US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has left for Turkey and the region ahead of the Istanbul summit on Afghan peace which will be held next month.
The US State Department said in a statement on Saturday that Khalilzad began the trip on Thursday – a trip aimed at encouraging the two warring parties to accelerate their negotiations to end the conflict in Afghanistan.
“He will engage the two sides on their preparatory efforts for talks on a political settlement that produces a permanent ceasefire and a durable and just peace,” the statement read.
According to the statement, Khalilzad will also meet with stakeholders to discuss “how the region and international community can facilitate talks between the sides.”
The US-backed summit over the Afghan peace process is planned for Istanbul next month. Expected to attend are the Afghan government and Taliban delegations and the UN, US, Russia, China and representatives from a number of foreign countries.
Earlier, Reuters reported that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will propose a new presidential election within six months at the Istanbul summit, signaling his refusal to accept Washington’s plan for his elected government to be replaced by an interim administration.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan, has announced the release of another American citizen in the country.
Khalilzad said in a post on his X account that, according to information from the Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Faye Dai Hall, an American citizen who has been in custody in Afghanistan, will be released soon.
Earlier, George Glezmann, an American citizen whom the Islamic Emirate had held for over two years, was also released.
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.
Tahawol: Discussion over US warning on Iran
Saar: Moscow-Ankara talks on Syria discussed
Khalilzad: Another US citizen to be released from Afghan custody soon
Global organizations warn of health crisis due to aid cuts in Afghanistan
About $80 billion worth of US military equipment abandoned in Afghanistan: Vance
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: Discussion over US warning on Iran
Saar: Moscow-Ankara talks on Syria discussed
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
-
Regional5 days agoEgypt makes new proposal to restore Gaza truce as Israeli strikes kill 65
-
International Sports5 days agoIPL 2025: Last over drama; Ashutosh Sharma clinches win for Delhi Capitals
-
Sport5 days agoAfghanistan eliminated from Asian Beach Soccer Championship
-
Latest News5 days agoNorwegian Refugee Council cuts back on essential humanitarian services in Afghanistan
-
Latest News5 days agoUN warns over 4 million Afghan girls will be deprived of education by 2030 if ban continues
-
World4 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
-
Sport4 days agoAFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers: Myanmar defeat Afghanistan 2-1