By RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan February 17, 2020 Afghan officials say at least five Afghan soldiers were killed when Taliban militants stormed a base in northern Afghanistan, despite expectations for a “reduction in violence” before a U.S.-Taliban deal. The attack occurred in the Shora Khak district of Kunduz Province on February 16, days after U.S. Defense
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty February 17, 2020 Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has again rejected accusations that his country is harboring militants, and insisted that his government has done “everything” to facilitate the peace process in neighboring Afghanistan. “Normally there was an idea that the security forces in Pakistan had their own policy, and the
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty February 15, 2020 U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said a deal between the United States and the Taliban on a weeklong reduction of violence in Afghanistan “looks very promising,” but warned it was not without risk. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on February 15, Esper said it was time “to
Tolo News: Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani is meeting with top US and NATO officials on Friday in Germany at the Munich Security Conference, according to tweets from the Presidential Palace. This comes as events in the US-Taliban peace negotiation talks in Doha appear to accelerate, following an announcement earlier this week of US President Trump’s
Tolo News: US Defense Secretary Mark Esper at a press conference on Thursday, the second and final day of the NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels, announced that the Trump administration and the Taliban had negotiated a seven-day reduction in violence proposal. “The United States and the Taliban have negotiated a proposal for a seven-day
Ariana: US President Donald Trump has conditionally approved a peace deal with the Taliban, CNN reported, citing US officials. According to the report, the agreement will go ahead only if the Taliban abide by a pledge to “reduce violence” over a seven-day test period later this month. Click here to read more (external link). Related
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty February 11, 2020 Reconstruction and stabilization activities in Afghanistan have left 5,135 people killed or injured during a period of 17 years following the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban, according to a new report by a U.S. government watchdog. The report released late on February 11 by the U.S.
Ayaz Gul VOA News February 11, 2020 ISLAMABAD – Afghan officials say a suicide blast near a military academy in Kabul early Tuesday killed at least six people, including four soldiers. The bomber detonated explosives strapped to his body at a checkpoint near the entrance to the capital city’s Marshal Fahim Military Academy. Interior Ministry
The Washington Post: Interviews with Afghan and U.S. officials and seven self-described Islamic State members now in Afghan custody paint a picture of a group that has a history of persevering despite territorial and leadership losses, thanks in part to a sophisticated recruitment system and the use of extreme violence to control civilian populations. Click
Tolo News: The provincial governor and a Farah MP both claim that an airstrike killed five civilians who were businessmen traveling on Saturday from Farah city to Abu Nasar Farahi Port when their vehicle was targeted. “The governor is in charge here … the governor must answer about who killed them,” said Abdul Ghafar Arman,