MOSCOW, August 21 (Sputnik) – The Russian Foreign Ministry denied on Tuesday the allegations by the Afghan ambassador in Russia that Moscow was planning to use the Taliban against militants from the Islamic State terrorist group (IS banned in Russia) in Afghanistan. “We paid attention to the recent statement by the Ambassador of the Islamic
MOSCOW, August 21 (Sputnik) – All militants who were involved in a major rocket attack on the presidential palace in Kabul have likely been eliminated, local media reported Tuesday, citing the Afghan Interior Ministry. Earlier in the day, Afghan media reported that the Taliban fired up to 22 rockets in Kabul during President Ashraf Ghani’s
MOSCOW, August 21 (Sputnik) – Several missiles were fired at Kabul during the speech of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the occasion of the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday, local media reported Tuesday. According to the TOLOnews broadcaster, the attack occurred at 09:00 local time (04:30 GMT). The rockets were fired at the Presidential Palace and
WASHINGTON, August 21 (Sputnik) – Rising civilian deaths, severe drought, capability gaps and a resilient insurgency are just some of the factors that are complicating US efforts to end the war in Afghanistan, the Defense Department Inspector General for Operation Freedom’s Sentinel said in a report submitted to Congress. “Civilian deaths reached historically high levels,
MOSCOW, August 20 (Sputnik) – The Taliban movement has released at least 40 members of Afghan security forces in the district of Bilcheragh in the northern Faryab province. The Taliban seized control of Bilcheragh on Saturday. According to the Tolo News broadcaster, nearly 40 of 100 members of Afghan security forces present in the district
MOSCOW, August 20 (Sputnik) – The Taliban movement has accepted Russia’s invitation to attend the Moscow format of Afghan reconciliation talks scheduled for September 4, media reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. Earlier in the day, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Second Asian Department Director Zamir Kabulov told Sputnik that Moscow expected the
RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan August 20, 2018 KUNDUZ, Afghanistan — The Taliban has reportedly rejected an offer by the Afghan government for a cease-fire, with militant commanders vowing to carry on their attacks after Taliban fighters in the north seized nearly 200 hostages from a convoy of passenger buses. A Taliban spokesman said Taliban leader
Ayaz Gul Ayesha Tanzeem VOA News August 20, 2018 ISLAMABAD — Most of the bus passengers kidnapped by the Taliban in northern Afghanistan have been released following mediation by Afghan tribal elders. Minister of Interior advisor Bahar Mehr said insurgents are still holding 12 passengers from three buses seized early Monday in Kunduz province. Each bus
Ayaz Gul VOA News August 19, 2018 ISLAMABAD — Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has announced a three-month unilateral conditional cease-fire with the Taliban, hours after authorities confirmed the Islamist insurgency overran a northern district and apparently captured dozens of government soldiers. Ghani explained Afghan forces will halt their operations from Monday, provided the insurgents reciprocate and
MOSCOW, August 19 (Sputnik) – Taliban militants have taken control of Bilchiragh District in Faryab province in the northwest of Afghanistan, local media reported Sunday. At the same time, several dozen troops from a military base in the same province remain unaccounted for, ToloNews reported, citing a source. The Taliban movement captured Sainia base, which