Latest News
Iran raises concern over ‘shortage’ of Afghan border forces
The special representative of Iran in Afghanistan has said that the new rulers of Afghanistan do not have enough forces at border posts and Iran should unilaterally establish border security.
But the Ministry of National Defense says that they have deployed forces to 450 security posts that have advanced military equipment along the borders of Afghanistan with neighboring countries.
Iran is worried about the infiltration of terrorist groups, including Daesh, into the country through the borders of Afghanistan, Iranian officials have said.
Hassan Kazemi Qomi, the special representative of Iran to Afghanistan, said in an interview with ISNA news outlet: “America is looking for evil, one of our big tasks is to help Afghanistan move in a direction so that it does not fall into the trap of these evils.
“Fortunately, ISIS has not been able to penetrate our borders,” he said adding “but the threat is there.”
“If they [IEA forces] exist, they don’t have a special uniform, we have to establish unilaterally security to strengthen the borders,” he said.
Qomi further added: “Emptying the arena in Afghanistan means that terrorism is strong there and will be drawn towards our borders.”
But the Afghan Ministry of Defense says that 450 security posts equipped with advanced military equipment have been established on the borders of Afghanistan with neighboring countries.
"We have eight border brigades, each of which has around 3,000 soldiers and they are engaged in service,” said Mohammad Yaqoub Mujahid, Afghan defense minister.
However, the Iranian president's representative on Afghanistan also mentioned the issue of the legitimacy of the government and said that the Iranian government will continue to interact with Afghanistan, but Tehran will not recognize the new government until an inclusive government is formed.
He says that if the government wants to be recognized by the international community, they should have the support of the people and consider the people's wishes.
“The fight against terrorism depends on the formation of a strong and inclusive government in Afghanistan, such a government can fight terrorism and carry out construction and development projects. Therefore, we have a desire to help Afghanistan move in this direction. Reconstruction and construction is not possible without the help of the international community. Afghanistan must definitely interact with the international community. This interaction is not possible unless Afghanistan complies with the legitimate demands of the international community and form a cooperative government,” said Qomi.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), considers the government to be inclusive, but has said reforms will be introduced.
After a year, no country has yet officially recognized the new government but some countries are engaging with Kabul.
Latest News
Human traffickers should be sentenced to 1 to 3 years in prison: IEA leader
The Leader of the Islamic Emirate has issued a decree instructing the Ministry of Interior Affairs to prevent human trafficking and to arrest and refer culprits to military courts.
The decree containing six articles says that that military courts should sentence human traffickers to one year in prison for the first time, two years if repeated for the second time and three years if repeated for the third time.
The ministries of Hajj, information, telecommunications, borders, propagation of virtue, as well as religious scholars are asked to inform the public about the dangers and adverse consequences of travelling through smuggling routes.
The decree comes as the rate of migration has increased following the political change in Afghanistan in 2021.
Latest News
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.
Latest News
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.
-
Sport5 days ago
Zimbabwe’s opening ODI against Afghanistan abandoned
-
World4 days ago
North Korean troops suffer 100 deaths, struggling in drone warfare, South Korea says
-
Latest News2 days ago
Afghan men must stand with women to support viable future of country: US envoy
-
Latest News4 days ago
Two horror accidents on Kabul-Kandahar highway leave 52 dead
-
Sport3 days ago
Afghanistan crush Zimbabwe by 232 runs in second ODI
-
Regional5 days ago
Iran’s president to make rare visit to Egypt for D-8 summit
-
International Sports4 days ago
Lanka T10: Kandy Bolts in at 4th spot in playoffs after thrilling day
-
World5 days ago
NATO takes over coordination of military aid to Kyiv from US, source says