Afghanistan
China faces threats from Afghan terror outfits despite Taliban's assurances
Many analysts have noted that the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan will give an edge to China, with its huge investments, to dominate the political contours of the region. However, the roadmap for Beijing will not be easy. Though China, which earlier linked the Taliban with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement -- a Uyghur militant group, has said that it will work with the new Afghanistan government, the presence of other terror outfits will make things difficult for China.
New govt to be announced soon, says Taliban
"Our political officials met with leaders here in Kabul, their views are important, discussions are moving, there is hope for an announcement on the government soon," TOLO News quoted Mujahid as saying on Sunday. Meanwhile, members of the Taliban's political office on Saturday met in Kabul with a number of politicians including former President Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, the head of High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), and discussions focused on the overall political situation including the formation of an inclusive government.
Taliban evicted from 3 districts in Afghanistan's Baghlan
The anti-Taliban fighters seized Pul-e-Hisar, Deh Salah and Banu districts on August 20, but the Taliban recaptured Banu on August 21, and fighting is underway to re-take two more districts, Xinhua news agency quoted TOLO News as saying on Sunday. After gaining control of the capital Kabul on August 15, the Taliban fighters captured the said districts and thus completed its rule over Baghlan province.
Scare, uncertainty grip Kabul although peace prevails
Since Kabul's fall to the Taliban, many government offices, schools and universities have remained closed. The Taliban has however, repeatedly called upon government employees to return to their offices and resume their work normally, but many offices in the government and private sectors including banks, schools and universities have been out of business.
Troops deployment in Afghanistan beyond Aug 31 under discussion: Biden
Biden gave updated remarks about the ongoing evacuation while addressing reporters at the White House on Sunday afternoon, reports Xinhua news agency. "There are discussions going on among us and the military about extending, our hope is we will not have to extend," said Biden when asked about the deadline. "But there are going to be discussions, I suspect, on how far along we are in the process."
Panjshir valley will not be handed over to Taliban: Ahmad Massoud
"We confronted the Soviet Union, and we will be able to confront the Taliban," Ahmad Massoud, the son of Ahmad Shah Massoud, told Al Arabiya. The Taliban told Massoud he had four hours to give up Panjshir valley, north of Kabul, where the 32-year-old and Vice President of Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh are holed up.
'All roads deserted in Kabul except one leading to airport'
Zaffer Sherrif, who was working at the NATO base in Kabul airport, said all roads in Kabul looked deserted except the one leading to the airport which was choked with heavy traffic as people were in a hurry to leave the country. "Around thousands of Talibanis sat on the runway to disrupt the flight operation and started cover-shot. Later, we were evacuated to Doha from where we have reached India," he said.
Ashraf Ghani, Amrullah Saleh can return to Afghanistan: Khalil Haqqani
In an exclusive interview with Geo News, senior Taliban leader Khalil ur Rahman Haqqani said "there is no enmity" between the group and Ghani, Saleh and former National Security Advisor, Hamdullah Mohib. "We forgive Ashraf Ghani, Amrullah Saleh and Hamdullah Mohib," said Haqqani, adding that enmity between the Taliban and the three was only on the basis of religion.
Pentagon chief orders US airlines to assist Afghan evacuation
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a statement that Austin has ordered the Commander of US Transportation Command "to activate Stage I of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF)", which provides the Pentagon access to commercial air mobility resources to support evacuation from Afghanistan, Xinhua news agency reported.
Ashraf Ghani's brother swears allegiance to Taliban
Hashmat Ghani, who is also head of the Grand Council of Kuchi (nomads) in Afghanistan, did not have any official position during the eight-year tenure of Ashraf Ghani. In a video clip aired from the ceremony in Kabul, it is seen that Hashmat Ghani is pledging allegiance to Khalil-ur-Rahman, a key member of the Taliban, Afghan media reported.
Advertisement