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U.S. Military Expands Air Campaign in Afghanistan to Hurt Taliban
The U.S. military has expanded its air campaign in Afghanistan, striking insurgents in Badakhshan province in northeastern part of the country.
"Over the past weekend, United States forces conducted air operations to strike Taliban and East Turkestan Islamic Movement, or ETIM, training facilities in Badakhshan province," said Major General James B. Hecker, the U.S. top Air Force general in Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Speaking with the reporters in Washington via teleconference, the U.S. general warned Taliban militant group against laser-guided bombs that will rain over their safe havens in the near future.
Meanwhile, he said the size and capabilities of the Afghan Air Force (AAF) are growing.
He added that the size of the AAF will be tripled, adding that AAF has 12 A-29s at the moment and it will go up to 25 in the future.
He also announced that the AAF will get a total of 32 AC208s in the future that will strengthen their capability.
"Additionally, we've taken MD530 attack helicopters and transformed them into a very robust platform. The Afghans have 25 of these right now, and they're going to get five more each quarter until they have a total of 55 in about a year and a half," Gen. Hecker said.
In 2017, the AAF has conducted approximately 2,000 airstrikes, roughly 40 strikes each week.
According to the U.S. official, the Afghan airstrikes are now almost doubled compare to what the U.S. Air Force conducts in Afghanistan against the insurgents.
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Several aid agencies suspend operations in 28 provinces in Afghanistan
Deputy Minister of Economy Abdul Latif Nazari has told Ariana News the activities of some international organizations and aid agencies have been suspended in 28 provinces of the country in recent days.
Nazari stated the reason for this comes after US President Donald Trump suspended aid for 90 days.
"We request that countries should not politicize humanitarian aid, and humanitarian assistance should remain humanitarian,” he added.
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Saqib meets Saudi ambassador, requests increase in Afghanistan’s hajj quota
Acting Minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs Noor Muhammad Saqib on Tuesday met with Faisal bin Talq al-Buqami, the Saudi Ambassador to Kabul, and requested an increase in Afghanistan’s Hajj quota, the ministry said in a statement.
Muhammad Saqib also called for more facilities for pilgrims.
In the meeting, the Saudi Ambassador assured Saqib of his cooperation in implementing the Islamic Emirate’s requests and suggestions.
He also expressed appreciation for the management of the Hajj process and the improved coordination between the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs of the Islamic Emirate and relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia.
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Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s supreme leader ‘unfazed’ by the West’s threats
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan's Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada says he is not concerned about any threats, and that Eastern and Western powers cannot harm the ruling system in Afghanistan.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for students at a jihadi school in Kandahar, Akhundzada emphasized that those who stand against the enemies of Islam will not suffer harm.
"If you are determined to stand for Islam until death, then prepare for martyrdom and imprisonment. The companions of the Prophet (PBUH) were martyred. They were doused with fire. What burden have we taken on? For us, Islam has come very easily,” said Akhundzada.
The leader of the Islamic Emirate also added that Muslims should not be influenced by the warnings of the West. He emphasized that "the infidels" will never accept the appearance, character, or beliefs of Muslims.
He stated that the Islamic Emirate will make every effort to preserve the system, and nothing will stop them because this system was not given for free nor out of kindness but is the result of their struggles.
This comes after the top prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) said last week he will seek arrest warrants against senior leaders of the Islamic Emirate government in Afghanistan over the “persecution of women and girls”.
Karim Khan said there were reasonable grounds to suspect Akhundzada and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani bore criminal responsibility for crimes against humanity on gender grounds.
ICC judges will now decide whether to issue the warrants.
The Islamic Emirate has however strongly condemned the accusations, stating they are "baseless" and politically motivated.
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