Connect with us

Latest News

Afghan forces need US assistance to combat Taliban: Special Ops General

Published

on

General Richard Clarke, chief of US Special Operations Command, said on Thursday that the Afghan security forces need US assistance to successfully counter the Taliban and other threats Afghanistan faces.

Addressing the Senate Armed Services Committee, Clarke said: “The capabilities that the US provides for the Afghans to be able to combat the Taliban and other threats that reside in Afghanistan are critical to their success.

According to Military Times, Clarke declined to provide any details of possible options he has outlined to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on how he could provide needed counterterrorism troops or capabilities if special operations forces are not physically in Afghanistan.

Clarke noted that no decision has been made about the withdrawal, adding that “we will always provide options” to deter or defeat al-Qaeda, Daesh or other terrorism threats.

Referring to his recent visit to Afghanistan, Clarke said: “Progress has been made and I found a very capable commander.”

Violence by the Taliban and other insurgent groups like al-Qaeda has remained high in the country despite peace efforts, which include the signing of the US-Taliban deal in Doha in February last year and the September start of peace talks between the Afghan Republic’s team and the Taliban. .

After coming into power, the new Biden administration announced it was reviewing the deal signed by former president Donald Trump’s administration.

Biden has stated despite the looming May 1 troop withdrawal deadline that this agreement is still under review.

With only five weeks to go before the deadline, speculation has been mounting that Biden will seek to extend the troop presence and to leave counterterrorism troops in the country.

On Thursday, Biden said it will be hard to meet the May 1 deadline for getting all troops out of Afghanistan for “tactical reasons.”

“We will leave–the question is when we leave,” he said.

Asked if he envisioned US troops in Afghanistan a year from now, Biden said, “I can’t picture that being the case.”

According to a Reuters report the US Secretary of State Tony Blinken is meeting with NATO allies in Brussels this week. Biden also referred to the Afghanistan visit of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

There’s an UN-led process that’s beginning shortly on how to end this war, he said.

“It is not my intention to stay there for a long time. But the question is how and on what circumstances do we meet that agreement that was made by President Trump, But we are not staying a long time,” Biden said.

Reuters also reported that Germany has decided to extend its military mission in Afghanistan beyond the May 1 deadline. .

According to Reuters, German lawmakers approved late on Thursday a new mandate which allows the German military to keep up to 1,300 troops in Afghanistan as part of a NATO mission until Jan 31, 2022.

Latest News

IEA approves electronic system for managing official correspondence and documents

Published

on

At a regular meeting of the Economic Commission, chaired by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, the electronic system for managing official correspondence and administrative documents of government institutions was approved.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the system was presented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology for discussion. Following a comprehensive evaluation, it was approved, and the ministry was instructed to implement it gradually.

With the implementation of this system, coordination among government institutions will be strengthened, and transparency, efficiency, and security will improve. It will help prevent forgery, corruption, and time wastage, enhance the accuracy of data and accountability, and mark a significant step toward e-governance.

The meeting also included the presentation of a report on 22 public welfare projects, for which implementation has been ordered by the leadership of the Islamic Emirate, to be funded through mining revenues.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Dozens of media violations reviewed as Afghanistan expands licensing in 1404

Published

on

The Media Violations Review Commission in Afghanistan says it held dozens of meetings over the solar year 1404 to review complaints from journalists and assess regulatory breaches across media outlets nationwide.

According to officials, the commission also issued new licences during the year to 16 radio stations, one website, five print publications, two news agencies, 90 YouTube channels, and 27 cultural institutions.

In addition, operating licences were renewed for two television channels, 29 radio stations, four print outlets, and 12 cultural organisations.

The report states that 76 violations were recorded in broadcast media, including radio and television, while a further 35 cases were identified across digital platforms such as YouTube, websites, X (formerly Twitter), and others. All cases, officials said, were reviewed and processed by the commission.

Authorities also said the body addressed complaints raised by 26 journalists and examined around 7,000 copies of newspapers, weekly papers, and monthly magazines from both Kabul and the provinces.

Officials say the commission’s work is aimed at regulating media activity, handling complaints, and improving working conditions for journalists across the country.

Continue Reading

Latest News

EU in quiet contacts with IEA over Afghan migrant returns

The clarification comes amid increasing political pressure within parts of the EU to advance deportations to Afghanistan.

Published

on

The European Commission has addressed growing speculation over whether the EU is engaging with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) on deportations and migration returns, confirming that while no formal political contact or recognition exists, limited technical-level discussions are taking place.

At a press briefing in Brussels, the Commission said there had been no official meetings, invitations, or diplomatic recognition of the IEA.

However, it acknowledged that some operational contacts are ongoing at a technical level, following requests from EU interior and migration ministers to improve coordination on the return of Afghan nationals who have no legal right to remain in Europe, including individuals assessed as security risks.

The clarification comes amid increasing political pressure within parts of the EU to advance deportations to Afghanistan.

The Commission emphasised that Afghanistan remains a highly sensitive case due to ongoing humanitarian concerns and human rights restrictions under the IEA administration. These conditions, it noted, make any return policy legally and operationally difficult under EU and international law.

It also stressed that return decisions remain the responsibility of individual member states and must comply with fundamental rights protections.

The issue has gained further momentum following reports that Sweden is set to take a leading role in EU-level outreach to the IEA, as the bloc weighs how to handle increasing numbers of Afghan nationals subject to deportation orders across Europe.

While some member states are pushing for more structured cooperation with Kabul authorities to facilitate returns, others remain cautious, warning that engagement with the IEA could raise legal and political concerns given its international status and domestic policies.

The Commission reiterated that any contacts are strictly technical and focused on practical migration management rather than political recognition or broader engagement with the IEA government.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright © 2025 Ariana News. All rights reserved!