Latest News
Taliban issue veiled threat in response to new drawdown plan
The Taliban said on Thursday the US decision to pull out of Afghanistan starting May 1 is in violation of the agreement signed between the two parties in Doha last year an in turn issued a veiled threat to foreign forces.
The Taliban said in a statement that the agreement was that all troops would be out of Afghanistan by the end of April and that US President Joe Biden’s decision to delay the withdrawal “is a clear violation of the Doha Agreement and non-compliance with its commitments.”
Because of the extended stay in Afghanistan, the Taliban said it would “take every necessary countermeasure, hence the American side will be held responsible for all future consequences.”
On Wednesday night Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg both officially announced the full withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan starting May 1 and ending by September 11 – the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United States.
But the Taliban noted their dissatisfaction over the decision and called on foreign stakeholders to put pressure on the US to exit Afghanistan within the next two weeks.
“As this agreement was signed in the presence of United Nations and representatives of numerous world countries and organizations, and is currently being breached by America, it is imperative that all countries and organizations that were witnesses to the signing of this agreement exert pressure on America to implement its commitments and withdraw all forces from Afghanistan by the specified date,” read the statement.
The Taliban stated that the US has breached the agreement regarding the release of the remaining 6,000 prisoners within three months of the start to intra-Afghan negotiations, and through their failure to remove the group’s name from the UN blacklist.
The Taliban also accused the US of having carried out “over 1,200 violations”.
The group stated “delaying the withdrawal date of forces by several months, all makes evident to the world that America cannot be trusted nor is it committed to its pledges and promises.”
The group claimed it has adhered to stipulation in the agreement and “considered it the sole solution to the conflict”.
“Now as the agreement is being breached by America, it in principle opens the way for the Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate to take every necessary countermeasure, hence the American side will be held responsible for all future consequences, and not the Islamic Emirate,” the statement read.
The Taliban urged the US and NATO alliance countries to immediately withdraw their troops and stated it “will under no circumstance ever relent on complete independence and establishment of a pure Islamic system, and remains committed to finding a peaceful solution to the Afghan problem following the complete and certain end of occupation.”
Latest News
India condemns Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has condemned recent airstrikes by Pakistan on Afghanistan’s territory.
In a statement, Ministry spokesperson Shri Randhir Jaiswal said the attacks resulted in the deaths of several civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.
He described the strikes as yet another act of aggression by Pakistan, which continues to oppose the idea of an independent Afghanistan.
India reiterated that Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be fully respected.
Latest News
14 Pakistani soldiers killed after military post falls along Durand line: MoD
The statement added that Afghan forces destroyed one armored tank and a military vehicle belonging to Pakistani troops during the fighting.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense announced Saturday that Afghan defensive forces captured a Pakistani military post along the Durand Line in eastern Afghanistan following clashes between the two sides.
In a statement, the ministry said the operation was launched in response to what it described as “crimes of the Pakistani military regime” in border areas of Kunar and Nangarhar provinces.
According to the ministry, 14 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 11 others wounded during the operation.
The statement added that Afghan forces destroyed one armored tank and a military vehicle belonging to Pakistani troops during the fighting.
Defense officials emphasized that Afghanistan’s forces remain prepared to respond to any threats along the Durand Line.
Latest News
UN Security Council to vote on extension of UNAMA mission in Afghanistan
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has previously criticized UNAMA’s activities, claiming that the mission’s reports misrepresent the situation in Afghanistan.
The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on Monday regarding the extension of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), with a draft resolution proposing a three-month extension until June 17.
The debate over the mission’s extension has divided key members of the Council. China initially called for a one-year extension, while the United States has advocated for a shorter duration. The U.S. position is based on the belief that a three-month extension would allow the Council to conduct a comprehensive review of UNAMA’s mandate before committing to a longer-term renewal.
A statement from the Security Council explained that Washington views this as an opportunity to reassess the mission’s appropriateness and effectiveness. “This mission is one of the most costly political special missions of the United Nations and operates in a highly complex environment. Therefore, the Council needs to assess whether the mission remains appropriate and effective,” the statement read.
The draft resolution also emphasizes growing concerns about human rights in Afghanistan, particularly the ongoing restrictions placed on women and girls. It calls on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to lift these limitations and stresses the need for continued support in areas such as development, counterterrorism, and mine clearance. UNAMA’s field presence is also considered vital for providing critical humanitarian support and monitoring developments on the ground.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has previously criticized UNAMA’s activities, claiming that the mission’s reports misrepresent the situation in Afghanistan, painting a negative and misleading image to the international community. As the vote approaches, the future of the mission—and its ability to effectively address Afghanistan’s ongoing challenges—hangs in the balance.
-
Sport4 days agoAfghanistan’s white-ball series against Sri Lanka postponed
-
Latest News2 days agoAfghan airstrikes target Pakistani military sites in retaliation for air attacks
-
Latest News5 days agoRussia, China and UK urge Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve issues through dialogue
-
Latest News5 days agoTrump envoy warns Afghanistan could face fate similar to Iran or Venezuela over detained Americans
-
Latest News2 days agoIEA condemns Pakistan’s airstrikes in several Afghan provinces
-
Latest News5 days agoReports about closure of IEA’s Doha office denied
-
Regional5 days agoIran says oil blockade will continue until attacks end, Trump threatens to hit harder
-
Business4 days agoUzbekistan ratifies preferential trade agreement with Afghanistan
