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Five years after Abbey Gate bombing, Pentagon upgrades awards for three marines

The three Marines were stationed at Abbey Gate on August 26, 2021, when an ISIS suicide bomber detonated an explosive device near the entrance to Kabul airport.

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Five years after the deadly Abbey Gate bombing at Kabul airport, the Pentagon has upgraded the military awards of three retired US Marines, recognizing their actions as acts of combat valor during and in the aftermath of the attack.

Retired Gunnery Sergeant Jonathan Eby and retired Lance Corporal Jordan Houston were each awarded the Bronze Star Medal with the valor device. Retired Corporal Michael Gretzon received an upgraded Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, also with the valor device.

The three Marines were stationed at Abbey Gate on August 26, 2021, when an ISIS suicide bomber detonated an explosive device near the entrance to Kabul airport.

Amid the chaos that followed, the Marines helped wounded personnel and continued managing the crowd of evacuees despite the ongoing danger.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who attended the award ceremony, described their actions as an example of the “pinnacle of combat heroism.”

According to the award citations, Eby took command after the blast after several members of his unit were killed or wounded. He helped reorganize the remaining forces, restore security and evacuate injured personnel.

Houston, who was wounded and affected by the blast, pulled several injured Marines to safety. Gretzon remained in an exposed position to control the crowd and help facilitate the evacuation of those who were more seriously wounded.

The Abbey Gate attack, which was claimed by ISIS, killed 13 US service members and about 170 Afghan civilians.

Meanwhile, a Pentagon review of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan remains underway. Officials have said the investigation is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

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Mujahid accuses Pakistani military circles of sabotaging talks with Afghanistan

Mujahid reiterated that Afghanistan does not interfere in Pakistan’s internal affairs and would not allow its territory to be used to create insecurity in Pakistan or any other country.

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Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate, has accused certain Pakistani military circles of repeatedly undermining negotiations and efforts to resolve differences between Kabul and Islamabad through dialogue.

Speaking to Ariana News in response to recent remarks by Pakistan’s prime minister, Mujahid said the Islamic Emirate did not blame Pakistan’s political leadership, which he claimed was willing to resolve bilateral differences. However, he alleged that certain military circles had repeatedly obstructed progress towards negotiations and mutual understanding.

Mujahid reiterated that Afghanistan does not interfere in Pakistan’s internal affairs and would not allow its territory to be used to create insecurity in Pakistan or any other country.

He said the Islamic Emirate had taken effective measures to prevent Afghan territory from being used for such purposes, but alleged that certain circles in Pakistan continued to pursue policies of insecurity and aggression, undermining diplomatic efforts.

Commenting on recent developments in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Mujahid said the situation there and Pakistan’s internal affairs were unrelated to Afghanistan.

He stressed that Afghanistan did not want insecurity in any country and urged the countries concerned to address their internal challenges through appropriate channels, reiterating that the Islamic Emirate would not interfere in their domestic affairs.

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Karzai calls for reopening schools and universities to Afghan girls on International Day of the Girl

Karzai said the day reminds the international community of its significant responsibility towards girls and urged everyone not to neglect their empowerment.

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Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has called for the empowerment of girls alongside boys, stressing the importance of providing them with full educational opportunities on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl.

Karzai said the day reminds the international community of its significant responsibility towards girls and urged everyone not to neglect their empowerment.

He emphasized that Afghanistan must focus more than ever on empowering girls to achieve growth and development. According to Karzai, this can only be achieved by ensuring that girls have access to all educational opportunities and can pursue higher education to serve their people and country.

Marking the occasion, the former president expressed hope that schools and universities would reopen to girls as soon as possible, allowing them to contribute to Afghanistan’s progress through their knowledge, expertise and skills, and become a source of pride for the country internationally.

Karzai also said the Afghan people, with their ancient cultural heritage and deep respect for women and girls, take pride in recognizing their position, achievements and courage at national and international forums.

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Muttaqi meets OIC deputy secretary-general to discuss expanding cooperation with Afghanistan

The ministry said the emergence of new opportunities across various sectors was also highlighted during the meeting.

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Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has met with Ambassador Tariq Ali Bakheet, Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to discuss bilateral relations and opportunities for expanded cooperation.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, the meeting began with congratulations on the appointment of the organisation’s new secretary-general. The two sides also discussed Afghanistan’s important place in the OIC’s vision and the need for constructive engagement with the country.

The discussions covered the situation in Afghanistan and the wider region, as well as political and economic developments in regional and international countries.

The ministry said the emergence of new opportunities across various sectors was also highlighted during the meeting.

At the conclusion of the talks, both sides stressed the importance of further strengthening relations between Afghanistan and the OIC and opening new avenues for cooperation.

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