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Pentagon continues with troops drawdown despite new law
The US military has continued with its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Department of Defense told Reuters on Monday, despite a new law prohibiting further reductions without the Pentagon sending Congress an assessment of the risks.
“Currently, no new orders have been issued which impact the progression of the conditions-based drawdown expected to reach 2,500 (troops) by January 15, 2021,” it said in a statement.
Reuters reported that the Pentagon’s action will likely anger Republican and Democratic lawmakers opposed to further troop cuts and renew concerns about the outgoing Trump administration’s disdain for Congress, even in its waning days.
“If they are continuing the drawdown, that would be a violation of the law,” said a congressional aide, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The White House declined to comment.
Reuters stated that halting the drawdown could jeopardize the US-backed Afghanistan peace process which came after the February agreement last year. As part of the agreement, the Taliban wants a complete US troop withdrawal by May in return for the insurgents fulfilling security guarantees.
In November, the Pentagon said it would reduce the number of US forces in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500 by mid-January.
But this month Congress enacted a defense policy bill – overriding a veto by President Donald Trump – that bars using funds appropriated for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 to pay for a drawdown below 4,000 US troops until acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller submits to Congress a “comprehensive, interagency assessment of the risks and impacts,” Reuters reported.
It is unclear how many troops have been moved out of Afghanistan since the law passed.
One defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US troop level is already close to 3,000.
The legislation also requires a risk assessment before the number of US troops can be reduced below 2,000.
The Pentagon said it was “evaluating” the impact the legislation would have on US troop strength in Afghanistan.
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UNICEF expands aid to millions of Afghan children after flash floods
In Parun, the capital of Nuristan province, 23 people were killed in flooding, while water services for around 1,000 families were disrupted.
Flash floods affected more than 1,100 families across 14 provinces of Afghanistan in July, damaging or destroying over 1,100 homes, according to UNICEF’s latest humanitarian situation report covering July 1–31.
UNICEF said 1,168 families were affected by the floods, while 1,164 homes were damaged or destroyed.
In Parun, the capital of Nuristan province, 23 people were killed in flooding, while water services for around 1,000 families were disrupted.
Despite the ongoing humanitarian challenges, UNICEF said it continued supporting essential health services across the country through 2,393 static health facilities and 16 mobile facilities.
The UN agency also responded to 245 disease outbreaks during July, while approximately 183,000 children under the age of five received measles vaccinations.
Access to clean water and sanitation also remained a key focus. During the month, around 96,300 people gained access to safe drinking water, while 89,061 people received basic sanitation services. Essential WASH supplies were also provided to 180,814 people.
Child malnutrition remained another major concern. UNICEF and its partners screened approximately 1.1 million children for wasting during July, with 104,602 children admitted for treatment.
In addition, 10.3 million children aged 6–59 months received vitamin A supplementation as part of efforts to prevent malnutrition and protect child health.
UNICEF said its humanitarian response remains focused on ensuring vulnerable children and families across Afghanistan can access essential health, nutrition, water and sanitation services amid continued humanitarian needs.
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Kyrgyz, Afghan foreign ministers discuss expanding trade and investment ties
The two foreign ministers discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation, with particular emphasis on expanding trade, economic and investment ties, the ministry said.
Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev held a telephone conversation with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on September 14, focusing on strengthening practical cooperation between the two countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The two foreign ministers discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation, with particular emphasis on expanding trade, economic and investment ties, the ministry said.
“Particular attention was paid to enhancing further trade, economic and investment cooperation,” the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
During the call, the Afghan side also congratulated Kyrgyzstan on the successful organization of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit and the 6th World Nomad Games.
Afghanistan further congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, according to the statement.
The conversation comes as Kabul and Bishkek seek to expand economic and diplomatic engagement, with trade and investment emerging as key areas of potential cooperation.
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Afghan interior minister meets outgoing Chinese ambassador
During the meeting, Minister Haqqani described Ambassador Zhao Xing’s tenure in Afghanistan as effective and praised his positive contribution to strengthening relations between Afghanistan and China.
Ambassador Zhao Xing, in turn, expressed his appreciation to the leadership of the Ministry of Interior Affairs for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure in Afghanistan.
The Chinese ambassador underscored the importance of the historic relations between Afghanistan and China and expressed hope that bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries would continue to expand in the future.
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