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IEA’s foreign ministry calls on US to stop drones patrolling in Afghan airspace
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) said Wednesday the United States’ practice of using drones to patrol Afghan airspace was in violation of the Doha Agreement and of international law and requested Washington to stop.
They also asked countries in the region not to allow the US to use their territory or airspace against Afghanistan.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday Amir Khan Muttaqi, the foreign minister, said that America should not violate Afghanistan's airspace.
According to Muttaqi Washington should adhere to the Doha Agreement and not violate Afghanistan's airspace.
“We once again call on US to stop their flights over Afghanistan, there is countrywide security, and when Afghanistan’s soil is not used against any country, others also don’t have the right to have illegal flights in Afghanistan air,” Muttaqi said.
Muttaqi also said that currently, Afghanistan has no problem with any country and that the Islamic Emirate has official interaction with the world.
Muttaqi emphasized that Afghanistan's foreign policy is economic-oriented and Kabul is trying to become the connecting point of the economic markets of South and Central Asia.
Muttaqi said that the current government of Afghanistan does not have any particular problem with any country but still asks the world to take note of the positive achievements of the Islamic Emirate.
According to Muttaqi, so far the world still does not have a clear definition of terrorism.
The IEA also said a big achievement was the eradication of Daesh.
Muttaqi said no proof has been provided by the US that Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaeda, was in fact killed in a drone strike in Kabul in June.
“US has not yet provided any evidence or documents to the Afghan government to prove the killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul, and the investigation by the Afghan government regarding the incident is yet to be completed,” said Muttaqi.
He said that information regarding the incident would be shared with the public once the investigation concludes.
Muttaqi also said that all ports in the country have been opened for business and facilities have been provided for traders. According to him, IEA delegations have visited various countries in the region to expand relations.
Emphasizing the economy-oriented policy of the country's foreign policy, the foreign minister said: “The Islamic Emirate intends to make Afghanistan the center connecting South Asia to Central Asia.
“Afghanistan's foreign policy is based on a balanced policy, the principle of non-interference in the affairs of countries and the establishment of good and diplomatic relations with the countries of the world, it has tried to turn Afghanistan into a connecting point between the countries of the region and the world from a challenge to an opportunity,” said Muttaqi.
He said currently 13 embassies are operating in Afghanistan.
In addition six Afghan embassies officially receive orders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other embassies are in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said.
According to him, special measures have been taken to maintain the security of diplomatic establishments and foreign workers in Afghanistan. He also said the IEA will not allow and group to put foreigners in danger.
However, the UN Security Council wants the new rulers of Afghanistan to guarantee the security of diplomatic and consular places.
While condemning the attack on Russian diplomats in Kabul this week, the members of the council described terrorist activities as one of the most serious threats to the security of the international community.
The members of the Security Council have also emphasized the need for accountability and trial of perpetrators, and organizers of terrorist acts.
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Eight Afghan migrants die as boat capsizes off Greek island
Eight Afghan migrants died after a speedboat carrying migrants capsized off Greece's eastern island of Rhodes on Friday, the Associated Press reported.
Greek authorities said that the capsizing was the result of the boat’s maneuvering to evade a patrol vessel.
A total of 18 migrants — 12 men, three women and three minors — all Afghan nationals, were rescued, Greece's coast guard said Saturday. The dead were also from Afghanistan, it said.
Some migrants remained hospitalized, with one in critical condition, authorities said.
Two Turkish citizens, ages 23 and 19, were arrested as the suspected traffickers. The boat sank after capsizing, the coast guard said.
The sinking off Rhodes was the second deadly incident involving migrants in the past week.
Seven migrants were killed and dozens were believed missing after a boat partially sank south of the island of Crete over the weekend — one of four rescue operations during which more than 200 migrants were rescued.
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Norwegian Chargé d’Affaires meets with IEA deputy foreign minister
Welcoming the diplomat’s visit to Kabul, Stanikzai underscored the importance of political relations between Afghanistan and Norway, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The Norwegian Chargé d’Affaires for Afghanistan, Per Albert Ilsaas, on Saturday met with IEA’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Sher Muhammad Abbas Stanikzai, in Kabul.
Welcoming the diplomat’s visit to Kabul, Stanikzai underscored the importance of political relations between Afghanistan and Norway, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
In addition to focusing on bilateral political, humanitarian, and other pertinent issues, the two sides expressed hope that continued engagement would lead to constructive solutions to related issues.
This comes two weeks after the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi expressed disappointment regarding the decision by the Norwegian government to downgrade diplomatic relations with Afghanistan.
Balkhi said in a post on X that such decisions should not be linked with internal affairs of other countries.
“Diplomatic engagement is most effective when it fosters mutual understanding and respect, even amidst differing viewpoints,” he stated.
“Access to consular services is a fundamental right of all nationals. We strongly urge all parties to prioritize this principle in the spirit of international cooperation,” he added.
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A new polio vaccination campaign is set to launch in Afghanistan
Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries in the world where polio has not been eradicated.
The “Afghanistan Polio-Free” organization announced that a new round of polio vaccinations will begin on Monday, December 23, in various provinces of Afghanistan.
The organization did not specify which provinces will be targeted or how long the vaccination campaign will last.
Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries in the world where polio has not been eradicated.
On December 4, 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement reporting a 283% increase in polio cases in Afghanistan. According to the WHO, the number of positive environmental samples for wild poliovirus type 1 in Afghanistan in 2024 reached 84, compared to 62 cases in 2023.
The Ministry of Public Health claimed in November 2024 that no new cases of polio had been reported in Afghanistan for the year.
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