1TV: Thirty-three Pakistani members of the Taliban were killed in an operation in Afghanistan’s central-eastern Ghazni province last night, officials said Tuesday. They were among 42 Taliban insurgents who were killed in a joint operation by Afghan Special Forces and international forces in Sardi area of Andar district, the provincial governor’s office said in a statement.
Ayaz Gul VOA News May 13, 2019 ISLAMABAD — The Taliban’s chief negotiator says in newly released remarks that the United States is on the verge of defeat and will quit Afghanistan soon “either of their own accord, or they will be forced out.” Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai made the assertions in an April 28 speech
By RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan May 13, 2019 KABUL — The United Nations’ Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has expressed “grave concern” about the impact on civilians from an “increase in violence around the country” during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. In a statement on May 13, UNAMA condemned the Taliban for attacks which
Ayaz Gul VOA News May 12, 2019 ISLAMABAD — Afghan officials are downplaying the significance of the United States diverting funds from its military mission in Afghanistan, as a senior American diplomat has arrived in Kabul for high-level discussions. Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan on Friday approved the transfer of $1.5 billion to build barriers
Reuters: While some Afghan journalists say its accuracy is patchy, and its opponents accuse it of spreading “fake news”, the Taliban’s slick media operation has emerged as a key weapon in the information war that often leaves the Western-backed government and its U.S. partners struggling to catch up. Click here to read more (external link).
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty May 10, 2019 The U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan said on May 10 that “faster progress” is needed in peace talks with the Taliban as another round of discussions between the two sides came to an end. Zalmay Khalilzad said “steady but slow progress” was made in the round of discussions
Ayaz Gul VOA News May 8, 2019 ISLAMABAD — Afghan officials say a car bomb-and-gun attack has targeted a U.S.-funded international relief organization in Kabul, causing casualties. Rescue workers transported at least nine injured to city hospitals Wednesday, but there were no immediate reports of death. The Interior Ministry said the non-profit group Counterpart International, which
By Ron Synovitz Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty May 7, 2019 Khalida Khorsand, a 35-year-old rights activist from the western Afghan city of Herat, is skeptical about Taliban claims that it has dispensed with its strict rules against girls’ education and women working. The militant Islamic group made the declaration in the midst of recent peace
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty May 7, 2019 Taliban fighters attacked security checkpoints in Afghanistan’s northeastern Takhar Province, killing eight members of the security forces, a local official has said. Provincial council chief Wafiullah Rahmani on May 7 said three soldiers and five police officers were killed in the May 6 attack in Khwaja Bahaudin district.
1TV: A key Taliban member has been arrested with 11 bottles of wine and a hookah in northern Afghanistan, the Interior Ministry said on Monday. The militant identified as Yousuf was detained in an operation by special unit of the Afghan police in Balkh’s Nahr-i-Shahi district. Click here to read more (external link).