Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty January 28, 2021 The U.S. envoy who brokered a deal with the Taliban last year has been asked to stay in his position, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on January 27. U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has been asked to “continue the vital work that he’s performing,”
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty January 27, 2021 A Taliban delegation has held talks with high-ranking Iranian officials in Tehran amid ongoing peace talks between the Afghan government and the militant group. Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem tweeted that the delegation led by deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar met with Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty January 27, 2021 Afghan officials say two policemen have been killed and at least five others wounded in separate attacks in different parts of the capital, Kabul. The two officers were killed on January 27 by “sticky bombs” — explosives attached to their vehicle — in the eastern district of the
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty January 27, 2021 KABUL — The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) says killings of civilians in the country’s conflict rose to nearly 3,000 last year despite the launch of intra-Afghan peace talks in Qatar. The AIHRC said in its annual report, published on January 27, that there were 8,500 civilian casualties in
Tolo News: Chairman the High Council of National Reconciliation (HCNR) Abdullah Abdullah on Wednesday said that several opportunities for bringing peace in the country have been lost, stating that the country can’t afford the current opportunity for peace to be wasted. Abdullah said that all Taliban prisoners will be freed, and the names of the
Ariana: The Presidential Palace (ARG) on Wednesday called for calm and for MPs in the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) to act and speak responsibly about national issues after they called for the country’s treasure, the Bactrian Hoard, to be sent abroad for safekeeping. The total collection is estimated to be worth around $13
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty January 26, 2021 Afghan government negotiators are accusing the Taliban of stalling peace talks in Qatar as frustration builds in Kabul over continued militant attacks. Negotiators from the two sides have made halting progress since direct talks began in the Qatari capital, Doha, in September against the backdrop of rising violence
Tolo News: The US Treasury Department said that the al-Qaeda is gaining strength in Afghanistan while “continuing to operate with the Taliban under the group’s protection.” “Al-Qaeda broadly still depends on donations from likeminded supporters, and from individuals who believe that their money is supporting humanitarian or charitable causes,” it said in a report released
Radio Free Afghanistan January 25, 2021 KABUL — Afghan officials say a vehicle carrying Afghan employees of the Italian Embassy in Kabul has been hit by a bomb blast in the capital. Police officials told RFE/RL on January 25 that the driver of the vehicle was wounded in the morning explosion. A source at the Kabul Police
Ayaz Gul VOA News January 24, 2021 ISLAMABAD – Authorities in Afghanistan say they have rearrested 600 members of the Taliban who were freed from imprisonment as part of a peace-building agreement between the United States and the insurgent group. Afghanistan’s national security adviser, Hamdullah Mohib, made the announcement Sunday, alleging the men in question