Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty July 8, 2021 President Joe Biden has said the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan will conclude on August 31, adding that “speed is safety” as the United States seeks to end the nearly 20-year war despite growing concerns about a possible civil war amid a string of military successes by the
1TV: Taliban militants have forcibly displaced residents and burned homes in northern Afghanistan in apparent retaliation for cooperating with the government, Human Rights Watch said Since May 2021, the Taliban have captured 150 districts in northern provinces, HRW said on Thursday. Click here to read more (external link). Related Taliban Put Strict Curbs on Women,
Tolo News: Balkh governor Mohammad Farhad Azimi said on Thursday that of the 5,000 fighters that were pledged by political leaders and other influential figures in Balkh as part of the public uprising forces, 1,500 have already been deployed in fighting positions to face the Taliban alongside security forces. Click here to read more (external
The Guardian (UK): Women have taken up guns in northern and central Afghanistan, marching in the streets in their hundreds and sharing pictures of themselves with assault rifles on social media, in a show of defiance as the Taliban make sweeping gains nationwide. One of the biggest demonstrations was in central Ghor province, where hundreds
Nilly Kohzad Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty July 7, 2021 ISTANBUL — Fleeing poverty and war in their home country, Afghan refugees are turning to Turkey, one of the few nations hosting Afghans by the thousands. Over the past several years, Turkey has become a critical refugee hotspot for Afghans alongside its still-expanding Syrian and Iraqi refugee
Ayaz Gul VOA News July 7, 2021 ISLAMABAD – Authorities in Afghanistan said Wednesday that pro-government forces had pushed back Taliban insurgents from parts of a northwestern city and regained control of official buildings after hours of fierce clashes. Fighting erupted in parts of Qala-e-Naw, the capital of Badghis province, after the Taliban assaulted it
RFE/RL’s Tajik Service July 7, 2021 About 600 Afghan servicemen who crossed the border into Tajikistan while retreating from Taliban fighters have been flown home on four flights since late on July 6. A source in Tajikistan’s law enforcement told RFE/RL’s Tajik Service that the last flight carrying 130 Afghan servicemen left the Kulob airport
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty July 7, 2021 Iran says it is hosting talks between an Afghan delegation and senior Taliban representatives. The talks on July 7 come as the militant group continues to push through northern areas of the war-torn country amid the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Opening the talks in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister
Ayaz Gul VOA News July 6, 2021 ISLAMABAD – Afghanistan’s national security chief said Tuesday that “teething problems” stemming from the withdrawal of U.S.-led foreign troops were behind recent rapid Taliban territorial gains and his government was working to overcome them. U.S. President Joe Biden has ordered all American soldiers to leave the war-torn South
Ariana: President Ashraf Ghani has accused the Taliban and Pakistan of perpetuating the “bloodshed and destruction” in Afghanistan. Addressing a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Ghani stated that the Taliban have chosen to fight instead of making peace and that “we will stand up against them.” Click here to read more (external link).