Picture: AFP Kabul. The Afghan Taliban said its representatives met officials from the US and Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates Monday, amid efforts by Washington to press for a negotiated end to Afghanistan's devastating 17-year conflict, AFP reported. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that the militant group had also met representatives from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, SITE Intelligence Group reported Monday, but not the Afghanistan government. © 2018 All rights reserved. Citing Focus Information Agency is mandatory! … [Read more...] about AFP: Afghan Taliban says met with US, Pakistan officials
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Afghan Taliban members to meet US officials in UAE
Afghan Taliban representatives and US officials are due to meet in the United Arab Emirates, the militants' main spokesman said, amid diplomatic moves towards establishing the basis for talks to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan. Zabihullah Mujahid said representatives from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the UAE would also take part in the talks on Monday, which follow at least two meetings between Taliban officials and US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in Qatar. The US embassy in Kabul would not confirm any meeting was due to take place. Afghan police chief killed in Taliban attack Second attack during Afghan truce kills 14 Taliban leader who ordered the shooting of Malala Yousafzai has been killed The meetings come as diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have intensified, although the Taliban have refused to deal directly with the internationally recognised government in Kabul, which it considers an illegitimate foreign-imposed regime. The Taliban, seeking to reimpose … [Read more...] about Afghan Taliban members to meet US officials in UAE
The Forgotten Afghan Province That Became Taliban Country
QALAT, Afghanistan -- The ancient fortress towering above Qalat, the capital of Afghanistan's southern province of Zabul, overlooks swaths of desert and scrubland that stretch to the rugged mountains straddling the border with Pakistan. This barren, sparsely populated land has long been a backwater. But under the unwatchful eyes of the government and U.S.-led international forces, Zabul has become a major hub of Taliban support in Afghanistan, where the militants are waging a deadly 17-year insurgency. The government's control barely goes beyond the soaring fortress in Qalat, which is said to date back to when Alexander the Great invaded the region more than 2,000 years ago and is now manned by the Afghan National Army. The Taliban contest or control most of Zabul, where government forces are under constant attack. Poverty, No Jobs Despite official claims that support for the Taliban is weak or forced under duress, support in rural Zabul, at least, is high. "I don't support the … [Read more...] about The Forgotten Afghan Province That Became Taliban Country
Turkish Red Crescent helping Afghan migrants returning back to home country
İdris Emen – ISTANBUL Turkey has been helping Afghan migrants returning back to their country acquire a job or have their own business, as part of a project initiated by the Turkish Red Crescent (“Kızılay” in Turkish). The project named “Support after Volunteer Return” is carried out in cooperation with the Directorate for Migration in the Turkish Interior Ministry, Embassy of Turkey in Kabul, and Afghanistan’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation. The project’s main target is to stop irregular migrants by providing job security for Afghans in their country. So far, 10 Afghans have benefited from the Turkish-led project, with Mohammad Salim being one of these beneficiaries. Salim, 20, came to Turkey through illegal means in 2013. He worked for six years in Istanbul and went back to Afghanistan voluntarily in July 2018. Later, he applied to the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation in his country for them to help him to find a … [Read more...] about Turkish Red Crescent helping Afghan migrants returning back to home country
Airstrike kills 20 Afghan civilians
At least 20 Afghan civilians, including 12 children, were killed in an airstrike targeting a Taliban commander in the eastern province of Kunar local officials have said.The strike, against a local Taliban commander named Sharif Mawiya, was the latest in a series of operations targeting senior insurgent field commanders, including the shadow governor of the strategic southern province of Helmand, who was killed on December 2.Several Taliban military commanders have been killed since the beginning of the month by Afghan forces, backed by US advisers and air power but the tactic has also increased the risk of civilian casualties.Abdul Latif Fazly, a member of the provincial council, said eight women and 12 children were killed and more than 15 civilians wounded in the incident.Kunar governor Abdul Satar Mirzakwal said an operation by Afghan forces in Sheltan district killed 38 Taliban and al Qaeda members, including four foreign nationals, and wounded 12 more.He said the operation … [Read more...] about Airstrike kills 20 Afghan civilians