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Multiple rockets fired at Kabul airport, intercepted by defense system
As many as five rockets were fired at Kabul’s international airport but were intercepted by a missile defense system, a U.S. official told Reuters.
The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the rockets were fired early Monday morning Kabul time, though it was unclear if all were brought down by the defense system.
Initial reports did not indicate any U.S. casualties, but that information could change, the official said.
Earlier on Sunday, American forces launched a drone strike in Kabul targeting a suicide bomber in a vehicle who was aiming to attack the airport, Reuters reported.
There is increasing concern that ISIS-K, locally known as Daesh, will launch further attacks on the airport as U.S. troops hurry to evacuate remaining American citizens and at-risk Afghans, before competing their own withdrawal by Aug. 31.
Officials had warned in the past that ISIS-K were looking to target the airport with rockets. But the United States has experience in countering such rockets, primarily in Iraq, and had already installed missile defense systems.
“We know that they (ISIS-K) would like to lob a rocket in there, if they could,” General Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, told reporters in Washington last week, Reuters reported.
“Now we actually have pretty good protection against that. We have our anti-rocket and mortar system,” McKenzie said.
The Islamic Emirate’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met on Saturday with Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. special representative for Afghanistan, to discuss the current situation in the country and ways to expand ties between Kabul and Washington.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement issued Saturday evening that the two discussed opportunities in various sectors and issues related to Afghanistan-U.S. relations that could help broaden engagement between the two sides.
Muttaqi highlighted what he described as progress in stability, security, economic growth and self-reliance, saying Afghanistan currently offers a favorable environment for investment.
Khalilzad, meanwhile, praised the security and stability in Afghanistan and progress in reconstruction. He expressed hope that the country would make further gains in development, economic growth and self-reliance.
The former U.S. envoy also shared his views with relevant parties on strengthening relations and promoting constructive engagement between Afghanistan and the United States.
Zohurullah Fakhri, the head of the state-owned Afghan Tour company, says that an Australian tourist died of a heart attack in Wakhan district of Badakhshan province on Saturday.
According to Fakhri, the tourist, who was named “Charles” and was an Australian citizen, died in the Chaparan area of Wakhan district.
He did not provide further details about when the incident occurred or the transfer of the tourist’s body.
Dmitry Zhirnov, Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, met with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul on Saturday.
According to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two sides discussed the expansion of bilateral relations, shared interests, and ways to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
They also exchanged views on the regional situation and emphasized that continued relations between Afghanistan and Russia are in the interests of both countries in light of ongoing regional developments.
The meeting also covered future cooperation between the two countries, with both sides stressing the need to further expand Afghanistan-Russia relations.
Tahawol: Afghanistan and great power rivalry in Central Asia discussed
Muttaqi and Khalilzad discuss expanding Afghanistan-US relations
Saar: Iran-US ongoing tensions in Middle East discussed
Australian tourist dies of heart attack in Wakhan, Badakhshan
Iranian tanker hit by US attack near Iran’s Kharg Island, Tasnim says
Four mediators struggle to secure lasting Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire
HesabPay unveils new visa card and digital payment app in Kabul
AFC Champions League Elite draw nears as Al-Nassr seeded above Al-Hilal
Afghanistan secure direct qualification for 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup
WHO warns aid cuts disrupting healthcare services across Afghanistan
Tahawol: Afghanistan and great power rivalry in Central Asia discussed
Saar: Iran-US ongoing tensions in Middle East discussed
Tahawol: US rejection of Islamic Emirate’s proposal discussed
Saar: Pakistan’s conditions for improving ties with Afghanistan discussed
Tahawol: Shifting regional views on Islamic Emirate discussed
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