Latest News
Thomas West says Afghanistan is still a priority for Washington
The US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West says Washington has not forgotten Afghanistan but that the Islamic Emirate (IEA) needs to fulfil its commitments in order to be recognized as the legitimate government by the international community.
In an interview with Ariana News, West said the leaders of the Islamic Emirate can gain global legitimacy by fulfilling their obligations including allowing women to work and all girls to go to school.
West said that it would be difficult for IEA leaders to gain legitimacy unless the leaders of the caretaker government in Afghanistan change their ways.
“I do not think that with the behavior of the Taliban (IEA), they will gain legitimacy; the Taliban (IEA) will have the opportunity to gain legitimacy by implementing their commitments step-by-step, but the United States will follow a regular process; although the talks are officially stopped, but contacts with the Taliban (IEA) continue,” West said.
The US diplomat called on the leaders of the Islamic Emirate to allow girls of all ages to go to school and women to work, and said that if the heads of the caretaker government did so, they would take a step towards global legitimacy.
“Contrary to their commitments, the Taliban (IEA) did not allow girls to go to school, but they still have a chance. Our hopes have not been completely dashed; Taliban (IEA) leaders pledged to us at the China summit, and we still hope they let girls go to school and women work,” West added.
Asked if the issue of Afghanistan is a priority for the United States and the international community, West said: “Yes, Afghanistan is still a priority for the United States, and the US leadership is still paying attention to Afghanistan. No, Afghanistan has not been forgotten, even the issue of Afghanistan is a priority for us over Ukraine.”
He also said the US military presence in Afghanistan over the past 20 years managed to defeat and destroy terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda.
Latest News
Turkish intelligence captures a Daesh member near the Durand Line
Turkish intelligence agents have captured a senior member of Daesh near the Durand Line, reportedly preventing planned suicide attacks in Turkey and other countries, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency on Monday.
The suspect, identified as Mehmet Goren, is a Turkish citizen. He was apprehended during a covert operation and transferred to Turkey. Details on the timing of the operation or the involvement of Afghan and Pakistani authorities were not disclosed.
According to the report, Goren had risen through the ranks of Daesh and was allegedly tasked with carrying out suicide bombings in Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Europe.
Daesh has a history of deadly attacks in Turkey, including the January 1, 2017 shooting at an Istanbul nightclub that killed 39 people.
Anadolu Agency reported that Goren’s arrest also provided intelligence on the group’s recruitment strategies and planned activities.
Latest News
Dozens of needy families in Kabul receive winter aid from Bayat Foundation
Dozens of needy families in Kabul’s fifth district have received essential winter assistance from the Bayat Foundation, as part of ongoing efforts to ease hardship during the cold season and worsening economic conditions.
According to foundation officials, the aid package includes staple food items such as flour, rice, and cooking oil, along with warm blankets to help families cope with freezing temperatures. Haji Mohammad Ismail, Deputy Head of Bayat Foundation, said the distribution began in Kabul and will soon be expanded to other provinces.
“Our assistance includes flour, rice, cooking oil, and blankets,” Ismail said. “Today, we started distributing these items in Kabul’s fifth district, and God willing, the aid will reach other provinces in the near future.”
Afghanistan continues to face widespread poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity, with many families struggling to meet basic needs, particularly during winter when access to work and heating becomes more difficult.Humanitarian organizations and charitable foundations have stepped up relief efforts to support those most affected.
Beneficiaries welcomed the assistance, describing it as a lifeline. “May God bless you for helping the poor. We had nothing and no work,” said one recipient. Another added, “Thank you for your help. Our flour was almost finished.”
Bayat Foundation officials stressed that winter aid distributions will continue in Kabul and other provinces in the coming days, as part of their broader commitment to supporting needy families across the country.
Latest News
Nearly seven million Afghan refugees return home since Islamic Emirate’s takeover
Since the Islamic Emirate came to power, approximately 6.8 million Afghans have returned home, either voluntarily or forcibly, from neighboring countries and other nations, according to the Minister of Refugees and Repatriation.
Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, speaking at a meeting on finalizing a draft plan for a permanent migration solution in Afghanistan, added that 1.3 million Afghans have been internally displaced due to natural disasters during the same period.
With winter approaching, widespread poverty and severe cold are threatening thousands of lives. Meanwhile, the forced expulsion of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan, continues.
The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly urged neighboring states to allow migrants to return voluntarily. According to UNHCR, over two million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan since the start of 2025.
-
Latest News3 days agoAfghan border forces prevent illegal entry of hundreds into Iran
-
Latest News3 days agoPakistan summons Afghan diplomat over deadly attack in North Waziristan
-
Latest News2 days agoAfghan health minister calls for medical cooperation between Kabul and New Delhi
-
Latest News1 day agoAfghanistan signs 30-year deal for marble mining in Daikundi
-
Latest News3 days agoJapan allocates nearly $20 million in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan
-
Latest News3 days agoKarzai urges reopening of girls’ schools and universities for Afghanistan’s bright future
-
Health5 days agoAfghanistan seeks India’s support in standardizing traditional medicine
-
World5 days agoUS readies new Russia sanctions if Putin rejects peace deal, Bloomberg News reports
