Latest News
US closely monitoring current situation in Afghanistan: Milley
The Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley told the US Senate that the Taliban had taken control of numerous districts since May, but that the group would not be able to capture major cities.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has meanwhile said that Afghanistan is still in the world’s spotlight and that the United States will continue to support Afghanistan.
US intelligence sources have said however that the government will not last six months after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
The escalation of fighting and the spiraling out of control of a number of districts in recent days pulled senior US security officials into the US Senate.
The US Defense Secretary and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were summoned to a Senate hearing to answer questions about the current situation in Afghanistan.
Milley acknowledged that the Taliban have stepped up their attacks to seize district centers since the start of the withdrawal process of US troops from Afghanistan, but insists the United States is monitoring the current situation closely and said the Taliban cannot seize provincial capitals.
“We are closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan. The Taliban are not strong enough to occupy provincial capitals. Currently, 81 districts, out of 419, are under Taliban control. Before the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, 60 districts were in the hands of the Taliban.” Milley said.
However, Austin said there is now a new chapter in Kabul-Washington relations, one in which Afghan forces can fulfill their responsibilities to their people.
“Afghanistan is in the spotlight. We have now entered a new phase in our relationship with our Afghan partners, a relationship that helps them fulfill their responsibilities to their citizens,” Austin said.
However, US intelligence sources told The Wall Street Journal that the Afghan government would fall within six months after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. U.S. senators also say the Taliban’s conquest of districts is dangerous.
“The Taliban have taken control of several areas, including one of the most important in Kunduz province, and this is not the last case. Dozens of districts have been taken over by the Taliban since the peace talks stopped. We see the situation in Afghanistan with our own eyes every day,” US Senator Doug Lamborn said.
But the Afghan government maintains that Taliban movements are temporary and that the Afghan military can defend its territory with the cooperation of the people.
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 News2 days agoAfghanistan signs 30-year deal for marble mining in Daikundi
-
Latest News4 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 News3 days agoAfghan health minister calls for medical cooperation between Kabul and New Delhi
-
Latest News4 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
