Afghanistan is back to where it was, under the Taliban rule, just as the world found it, almost 20 years ago, reports Asian Lite News
This year, for the first time in 20 years, the anniversary of 9/11 will be marked without US troops in Afghanistan, where the terrorist attacks were planned.
September 11 attacks, also called the 9/11 attacks, series of airline hijackings and suicide attacks were committed in 2001 by 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group Al-Qaeda against targets in the United States, the deadliest terrorist attacks on American soil in US history.
The attacks caused extensive death and destruction and triggered an enormous US effort to combat terrorism.
In all, 2,977 people lost their lives, most of them in New York. All 246 passengers and crew aboard the four planes were killed. At the Twin Towers, 2,606 people died – then or later of injuries. At the Pentagon, 125 people were killed.
Pentagon officials who survived the attack in Washington that killed 125 reflected on two decades of conflict that has defined several military generations, reported The Wall Street Journal.
The US and its NATO allies raided Afghanistan in October 2001 to overthrow the Taliban, considered as war on terror”, spent billions but the end resulted in the formation of the Taliban’s “Islamic Emirate” in Afghanistan, reported the International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS).
However, they ended their involvement in a war-torn nation last month. And it is coloured, for many, by still-fresh reactions to the US exit from the country in late August, which saw 13 troops killed and 20 injured along with hundreds of Afghan casualties from an Islamic State attack in the war’s final days.
This unending conflict in what is termed as the ‘Graveyard of Empires’ has left the Taliban relentless and unscathed thanks to persistent Pakistan support for more than 20 years. Building terror bases within Afghanistan again will be an easy task with the Taliban in control as camps of groups like the LeT, JeM is reportedly in the process of being shifted to Afghanistan from Pakistan to avoid the FATF Blacklist, reported IFFRAS.
Moreover, the NATO-backed Government and all other institutions built over the last 20 years have been completely routed and the Taliban have categorically announced women’s rights to be within the sphere of the Sharia.
Though many grand statements are being issued by the Taliban, the situation on the ground with regard to human rights particularly for minorities and women is worsening with every passing day.
Moreover, the cost of the war for the US and its NATO allies was in billions. According to US Government figures when the country had more than 100,000 soldiers in Afghanistan between 2010 to 2012, the price of the war increased to nearly $100 billion a year, IFFRAS reported.
Also, the inclusion of hardliners in the caretaker government of Islamic Emirate, those who were involved in the terror attacks shows that the US is back to square one regarding the war on terror.
The cabinet members consist of many Taliban figures that are considered hardliners. The list announced by chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid was dominated by members of the group’s old guard, with no women included.
Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund is appointed as Prime Minister with two deputies Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Molavi Abdul Salam Hanafi.
Akhund was a close aide to the group’s late founder Mullah Omar and is on a United Nations sanctions list. He was previously the foreign minister and then deputy prime minister during the group’s last stint in power from 1996 to 2001.
The lesser known Taliban leader who is on the UN terror list hails from Kandahar and was among the founders of the armed group. He worked for 20 years as head of Rehbari Shura and remained close to Taliban chief Hebatullah Akhundzada.
Also, Sirajuddin Haqqani, the leader of the proscribed Haqqani network has been named the new interior minister.
The network is a US-designated terror group aligned with the Taliban and al Qaeda. Haqqani has a $5 million US bounty on his head.
He is suspected of organising a series of bombings in Kabul in 2008 and plotting the assassination of then-Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Mullah Yaqoob, one of the deputy leaders of the Taliban since 2016 and the son of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, will act as caretaker Defence Minister.
In the end, Afghanistan is back to where it was, under the Taliban rule, just as the world found it, almost 20 years ago, said IFFRAS.
Pakistan’s involvement in fomenting instability through proxies, notably LeT and JeM, remains a formidable challenge. Islamabad is increasingly making efforts to promote IS-KP/Daesh as its new proxy and is expanding activities of such outfits, through the Haqqani Network (HQN) but under the Taliban umbrella, from Afghan territory, reports Asian Lite News
Though the Taliban leadership structure remains intact, factional differences have emerged over power sharing in the new governing set up, especially the manner in which the Haqqani Network moved in to control large sections of Kabul.
These internal differences notwithstanding, the Taliban are reaching out to regional/global powers underlining their desire to build “good relations” with the neighbouring countries, especially China which has “always contributed” to the Afghan economy, as well as with Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, India and Uzbekistan.
However, the outfit does not appear willing to offer any guarantees on its links with and activities of terror outfits, including the Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, preferring only “verbal assurances” to gain international legitimacy.
Considering the long-standing organic ties between foreign terror groups and the Taliban, Al Qaeda, IS-KP/Daesh, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Islamic Jihad Union (IJU) and Pak proxies like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Al-Badr would re-group and strengthen apart from securing safe havens in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
In the developing situation in Afghanistan, Beijing is trying to steal the lead by building a narrative for internal consumption as well as friendly countries that China is best suited for Afghan reconstruction, given its policy of political neutrality; close coordination with key players, including Russia, and availability of diverse funding sources to build Afghan infrastructure and push investment.
Further, Beijing, with support from Pakistan, has been actively involved in establishing links with the Taliban in order to promote its economic and security interests in Afghanistan and beyond.
On its part, Islamabad continues with its diplomatic initiative to push the narrative of the “positive role” it has played in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s well documented support for transnational terrorism would be further entrenched as Islamabad would now be in a position to shift terror infrastructure, particularly of its India-centric proxies, such as the LeT and JeM, into Afghanistan in order to maintain deniability and avoid international censure, especially through mechanisms such as the FATF.
Given the developing situation and Taliban’s engagements with key regional stakeholders, the real-politik in the region involving Russia, China and Iran is expected to gain momentum. Islamabad is expected to pursue its duplicitous policies with the regional stakeholders, as well as the US, in order to draw maximum advantage and stay central to any outcomes in Afghanistan.
Issues of concern for India
A key concern is the threat of Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for international terror outfits. It could be a manageable challenge, provided the Taliban accepts and undertakes verifiable and irrevocable CT commitments on ground to ensure that interests of regional stakeholders are not impaired by the outfit.
The encouragement the Taliban victory provides to radical Islamic outfits, especially Al Qaeda and ISIS, in India. Given the statements by international terror outfits in favour of the Taliban and an acknowledgement by Pak Islamist parties, a sharp boost in Islamist propaganda in the region, including in India is expected.
Afghanistan will become a magnet for not just terror elements from J&K but also from other parts of India. It will give a fillip to self radicalisation attempts, recruitment from within as well as attempts to exploit the fault lines and spread disaffection against the India state.
Pakistan’s involvement in fomenting instability through proxies, notably LeT and JeM, remains a formidable challenge. Islamabad is increasingly making efforts to promote IS-KP/Daesh as its new proxy and is expanding activities of such outfits, through the Haqqani Network (HQN) but under the Taliban umbrella, from Afghan territory.
The August 26 attack near Kabul Airport by IS-KP is a pointer to the ISIS nexus with these outfits. Though the Taliban had earlier rejected (Aug 8, 2019) linking the Kashmir issue with the Afghan cause, as had been attempted by Pak elements, arguing that Afghanistan should not be turned into “theater of competition” between other countries, Islamabad would continue to influence the Taliban government, directly and through affiliate outfits, to raise the issue at international fora.
Strong possibility of slippage of weapons left behind by the US, especially small arms, sniper rifles, mines, night vision glasses, communication equipment, bullet proof jackets, tech to create even more sophisticated IEDs, VBIEDs, Magnetically Attached IEDs (MAIEDs), weaponised drones, superior tunnelling tactics used in Afghanistan and other jihadist theaters, suicide bombings etc. into the hands of terrorists operating in the Valley through Pakistan, further destabilizing the security environment.
Surge in production of opium to fund Taliban operations if the international community does not accept the assurances extended leading to unfreezing of Afghan assets abroad and provision of financial assistance.
India’s gains achieved through significant contribution made in the past towards Afghan reconstruction and economic progress through various development and aid projects would be relegated to the background. In this context, India-Afghanistan relations, strengthened by the Strategic Partnership Agreement in October 2011, which provides for assistance to help rebuild Afghanistan’s infrastructure and institutions, and providing duty free access to the Indian market to support Afghan exports, could be adversely affected.
Under the Taliban, the ISI would scuttle such initiatives to tarnish the otherwise well-established and acknowledged positive influence and image of India in Afghanistan.
On the economic front, given the geographical proximity and historical linkages, India has been a natural trading partner for Afghanistan and remains the largest market in South Asia for its products. Besides trade, a large number of Afghans travel to India for education and medical treatment.
Any selective approach by the Taliban to exploit such channels could be detrimental to the long-term interests of New Delhi, in view of the pro-active attempts by China to expand its presence and influence in Afghanistan.
The Chabahar Port is of strategic importance. Since Afghanistan is a landlocked country and needs access to warm water ports for its economic growth, its connectivity to the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean through the Port reinforces Iran’s role in the regional diplomacy and economy and build India-Iran-Afghanistan-Central Asia ties.
However, given Taliban’s pre-disposition to build close ties with China, and in collusion with Pakistan to promote the CPEC and other economic interests of China, India’s connectivity and energy interests in the region could be affected.
Besides, the security of minority Hindu and Sikh communities in Afghanistan could come under threat, though the fragile security situation in Afghanistan has caused them to migrate to India.
The emerging axis of China-Turkey-Pakistan in Afghanistan would pose diplomatic and geo-strategic challenges. Beijing would attempt to thwart Indian influence, through Pakistan, in a bid to contain Indo-US proximity.
Options for India
The question of recognising a Taliban Government in Afghanistan must be addressed only if it undertakes meaningful reconciliation with other Afghan leaders and is inclusive; makes firm commitments to uphold human rights, minority and women’s rights, media freedom; and ensures that other terror outfits (including Al Qaeda, LeT and JeM) do not operate in the country.
The Taliban regime must explicitly disavow any association with terror outfits, and be held to account in the form of demonstrable consequences if it fails to do so, including over the horizon counterterrorism action and further tightening of sanctions.
Amid Western efforts to contain the rising global influence and threat posed by China, joint collaborative efforts, both CT and diplomatic, to contain China’s expansionist activities through Afghanistan would need to be considered.
Messaging from the international community should be consistent, and not result in emboldening the Taliban. Financial aid and sanctions relief should not be considered at this stage. Only after the Taliban has verifiably lived up to the above commitments, can a gradual and sequential re-engagement on these lines be undertaken.
The regime must also remain neutral and neutralize Pak attempts to use Afghan soil as staging/training grounds or safe havens for its proxies.
Globally recognised terror groups such as the Haqqani Network and its leaders must not benefit from any mainstreaming of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Regional stakeholders must be taken on board, under UN auspices, to ensure oversight and engagement by the international community. Given Tehran and Moscow’s unambiguous stance on formation of an inclusive and representative Government in Kabul, increasing pressure needs to be mounted on the Taliban to ensure due accommodation of ethnic leaders and regional representatives, and a decentralized governance setup be established.
Moscow remains concerned about Taliban’s non-committal attitude on its links with radical Islamic groups and presence of safe havens for such groups on Afghan territory. Russia is also apprehensive about the ambivalent approach of the outfit towards the opposition forces, many of whom are elements of erstwhile Northern Alliance.
Moscow also needs to be sensitized about China’s expanding footprints in the Central Asian region through BRI connectivity projects. In this context, the feasibility of evolving a long term mechanism to deal with the emerging threats from Afghanistan would need to be coordinated.
In the economic sphere, the Taliban should be encouraged to pursue a global approach, and avoid falling prey to a Chinese debt trap or be subservient to Pak economic interests.
Undertake diplomatic initiatives to flag Beijing’s hollow claims of its financial support to Afghanistan and raise voices from within Afghanistan, international Islamic platforms, UNHCR, SCO, etc. over victimization of Uyghur Muslims in China.
Underline New Delhi’s continuing economic cooperation with Tehran, and sensitize Iran about New Delhi’s concerns over Beijing’s efforts to link Chabahar with the Gwadar port.
Forge a common platform with Iran, Russia and Central Asian countries, especially Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, taking into account their security concerns, to counter” “Pak-China-Turkey” nexus on the Afghan issue. In this context, active intelligence sharing and joint operations with Tashkent and Dushanbe, especially the growing increasing presence of Central Asia-centric militant outfits in North Afghanistan and in the Af-Pak region, may be considered.
Convince and take on board Islamic countries, especially the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, to adopt a balanced approach on the Afghan-Taliban reconciliation.
Continue cooperation with EU partners to ensure sustained pressure on Pakistan through FATF, WB, IMF, UN, to stop financing terrorism.
Given keen interest expressed by Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to join the CPEC and Islamabad’s concerted efforts to enhance border trade with Iran and revive a transnational rail link (Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad), there is a need to closely monitor such developments.
Strengthening of Indian presence at the Ayni Airbase in Tajikistan, coupled with Indo-Tajik joint military exercises, in tandem with Russia would signal India’s pro-active approach and stake in the region and also be a counter to Beijing’s efforts to secure the Wakhan Corridor through joint border patrolling with Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
Protesters are shouting out slogans such as “Long live Panjshir!” and “Long live the resistance!”…reports Asian Lite News
Residents of Faizabad, the capital of Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province, took to the streets on Wednesday to support the resistance in their fight against the Taliban, one of the demonstrators told Sputnik.
The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, which operates in the Panjshir province, described as illegal the country’s new interim government, headed by Mohammad Hasan Akhund, who served as foreign minister during the first Taliban rule.
Protesters are shouting out slogans such as “Long live Panjshir!” and “Long live the resistance!”
At the same time, the women of Faizabad launched another protest rally demanding respect for their rights. The Taliban has a long history of hostility toward women, raising concerns from the international community that the new government will perpetuate the violence.
Conditions to restrict protests
The Taliban on Wednesday introduced several ‘conditions’ to restrict protest in Afghanistan after forming a new government in the country.
These conditions include taking permission from the Ministry of Justice while purpose, slogans, place, time and all ‘other’ details of the protest need to be shared with the government authorities, as reported by Pajhwok News.
Details of the protest need to be shared with the security agencies 24-hours prior to the protest.
The developments came amid an increase in the protests against the Taliban in the country.
On September 7, a group of women also held a protest in Balkh province calling to preserve the achievements of the past 20 years and demanding women’s representation in the future government in Afghanistan.
Similar protests were also held in Kabul, Parwan and Badakhshan province.
These protests are being held majorly by Afghan women to demand rights and female representation in the caretaker government formed by the Taliban in the war-torn country.
As the Taliban took control of Afghanistan once again after 20 years, experts believe that Afghan women are most likely to face an uncertain future under the terrorist group regime.
The Taliban’s seizure of the war-torn country came after international forces withdrew from Afghanistan, with the United States officially beginning its departure back in May and now it’s on the verge of ending its military mission.
Dr Sajjan Gohel, a security and terrorism analyst, had informed that women are scared out of their (Taliban) minds, according to Four Nine, a prominent women’s magazine in the West.
“From the Afghan women I’ve spoken to, it’s incredibly traumatic. You’re looking at an entire generation who only read about the Taliban in books. Now, they’re having to live side-by-side with what is effectively a misogynistic cult” Dr Gohel added.
He also said that he believes we are going to see a return “to some degree of what we saw in the 1990s”. (ANI/Sputnik)
The statement also said the new government remains committed to protecting human rights….reports Asian Lite News
The Taliban’s religious leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, hours after the announcement of the new Afghanistan cabinet, issued a statement saying the new cabinet will start its work immediately.
“As a caretaker and committed cabinet has been announced by the authorities of the Islamic Emirate to control and run the affairs of the country which will start functioning at the earliest, I assure all the countrymen that the figures will work hard towards upholding Islamic rules and Sharia law in the country, protecting the country’s highest interests, securing Afghanistan’s borders, and to ensuring lasting peace, prosperity and development,” Akhundzada said.
The statement also said the new government remains committed to protecting human rights.
“The Islamic Emirate will take serious and effective steps towards protecting human rights, the rights of minorities as well as the rights of the underprivileged groups within the framework of the demands of the sacred religion of Islam,” reads the statement.
Male and female university students will be taught in separate classrooms and only female lecturers will be allowed to teach girls’ classes…reports Asian Lite News reports
A video widely shared on social media shows the Taliban’s Minister of Education, Sheikh Molvi Noorullah Munir diluting the importance of any kind of higher education.
“No Phd degree, master’s degree is valuable today. You see that the Mullahs and Taliban that are in power, have no Phd, MA or even a high school degree, but are the greatest of all,” Sheikh Molvi Noorullah Munir is heard saying in the video.
The remarks, as expected, drew huge criticism.
Private universities and higher education institutions in Afghanistan that are following the new gender format have reopened.
Male and female university students will be taught in separate classrooms and only female lecturers will be allowed to teach girls’ classes, Tolo News reported.
Joint classes are not acceptable at the universities. A Taliban official said, “Some of the universities are able to use separate buildings for girls, to teach the girls separately. But a number of universities do not have buildings, they can change the time of classes.”
Meanwhile, officials from the private universities and institutions said they were willing to implement the new format required by the ministry. The officials are worried about the girls’ low attendance at the universities.
Republic of Afghanistan condemns Taliban cabinet
The “Islamic Republic of Afghanistan” on Wednesday condemned the announcement of the “so-called” cabinet by the Taliban, terming it as “illegitimate and unjustifiable.”
After the fall of the Republic of Afghanistan, the Taliban on Tuesday formed the interim “Islamic Emirate”, appointing hardliners in its new government who oversaw the 20-year fight against the US-led military coalition. The cabinet members consist of many Taliban figures who are old guards of the outfit.
“The decision goes against the will of the absolute majority of the people of Afghanistan, international agreements, relevant United Nations Security Council and United Nations Human Rights Council resolutions and undermines the national interests of Afghanistan, including security, stability, unity and prosperity of the country and its people,” statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan read.
After the Taliban captured Kabul on August 15 and Ashraf Ghani fled the country, the group declared themselves as the country’s ruler. Meanwhile, former vice president Amrullah Saleh a few days later declared himself as the caretaker president.
The statement issued by “Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan” said this “Taliban cabinet” will result in undermining Afghanistan’s political, ethnic and social diversity, lead to increased tensions and also undermine the prospect of a comprehensive and lasting peace in the country.
“Moreover, it goes without saying that the Taliban have once again reaffirmed their blatant disregard and violation of the fundamental rights and important role of Afghan women and other segments of the society. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, as enshrined in Afghanistan’s Constitution, as the supreme law of the led, and manifested in the tri-colored flag is cherished amongst all Afghans inside and outside the country and is flying at all Afghan diplomatic missions.”
The statement noted that the constitution serves as the main source of legitimacy for upholding and advancing the national interest, territorial integrity, sovereignty, Islamic values and independence of Afghanistan.
“On the contrary, the announcement of the so-called Taliban cabinet is comprised of individuals who not only are against the national security and stability of Afghanistan but who also pose a serious threat to the security and stability of the region and global community at large. All diplomatic missions of the I.R. of Afghanistan will continue their normal functions and duties based on the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.” (IANS/ANI)
It is pertinent to mention here that the cabinet and the interim setup announced by the Taliban comprises mostly Pashtun ethnic group…reports Hamza Ameer
The Afghan Taliban announced an interim-government setup on Tuesday, listing the newly-appointed cabinet of ministers comprising veteran old guards from their previous tenure in the 1990s.
Among the top leadership, Mullah Muhammad Hasan Akhund has appointed as the caretaker Prime Minister of Afghanistan with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar as his deputy.
Interestingly, the list of ministers also include veteran Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani, who has been given the important Interior Ministry. Sirajuddin Haqqani is on the FBI’s most wanted list with a bounty of $5 million on his head. Haqqani headed the widely feared Haqqani network of the Taliban and has been accused of many deadly attacks and kidnappings in the past.
It is pertinent to mention here that the cabinet and the interim setup announced by the Taliban comprises mostly Pashtun ethnic group, which is expected to be another issue that would become a hurdle in seeking international support for the Taliban.
There are many factors in the interim setup that may inject uncertainty and distrust among the international community, which is looking towards the Taliban to walk the talks and fulfil their commitment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.
However, it seems that the Taliban have opted to stick to their top leadership and old guards to take over control of the country, as they look towards immediate inflow of aids and funds to help Afghanistan weather the cited economic and humanitarian meltdown.
It should be noted that about 80 per cent of Afghanistan’s budget comes from foreign aids. At the moment, flights from Qatar are landing in Kabul on a daily basis with aid supplies. However, the immediate needs are much more and the country needs immediate aid from the global community.
The United Nations (UN) has estimated about $660 million as immediate relief aid, needed on urgent basis to cater to the desperate needs of Afghanistan for at least four months.
The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan is being seen with focused concern as reservations over the newly-elected interim government in Afghanistan has raised eyebrows.
“The world is watching closely,” read a statement issued by the US State Department, expressing concerns over the selection of cabinet members being only Taliban.
(Image Source ANI)
The US State Department has expressed its reservations over no female representation in the Taliban-led interim government in Afghanistan, along with personalities like Sirajuddin Haqqani, who what they call has a troubling track record.
“The administration would be judged by its actions,” the US State Department statement added.
As far as the appointment of Haqqani is concerned as the country’s top cop, it is also believed that the Haqqani group still holds a US civilian contractor Mark Frerichs in its custody. Frerichs was abducted in January 2020.
Even though the interim government led by the Taliban leadership is dominated by ethnic Pushtuns, inclusivity and representation of other ethnic groups may have been catered by some ranks of the cabinet, which have been given to ethnic Tajik and Uzbeks.
“We are looking very, very carefully at how the new government is behaving before engaging,” he told a news conference following a meeting of EU commissioners…reports Asian Lite News.
The European Union voiced disapproval on Wednesday of the Taliban’s provisional government in Afghanistan after the Islamist militants named several leaders, saying they had not kept a promise to include women and other religious groups.
“It does not look like the inclusive and representative formation in terms of the rich ethnic and religious diversity of Afghanistan we hoped to see and that the Taliban were promising over the past weeks,” said Peter Stano, spokesperson for the EU’s foreign policy service.
“Such inclusivity and representation is expected in the composition of a future transitional government, and as result of negotiations,” he said in a statement.
A senior EU executive official also expressed wariness about the Taliban’s provisional government, which includes people under United Nations sanctions and wanted by the United States, even as the bloc tries to show openness to the militants.
“The European Union is ready to continue to offer humanitarian assistance,” European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic said, adding however that longer-term donor money depended on the Taliban upholding basic freedoms.
“We are looking very, very carefully at how the new government is behaving before engaging,” he told a news conference following a meeting of EU commissioners.
Afghanistan faces the collapse of basic services and food and other aid is about to run out, the United Nations said on Tuesday, after the Taliban took control of the country on Aug. 15 and the United States and Western powers withdrew.
Ghani also apologised, saying he regretted “how it ended”…reports Asian Lite News
Former Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, who fled the country in the wake of the Taliban takeover of the war-torn nation, has again denied stealing millions from the treasury.
“My wife and I have been scrupulous in our personal finances. I have publicly declared all of my assets. My wife’s family inheritance has also been disclosed and remains listed in her home country of Lebanon. I welcome an official audit or financial investigation under UN auspices or any other appropriate independent body to prove the veracity of my statements here,” Ghani said, as reported by Al Arabiya.
During his statement released on Wednesday, Ghani said he had left at the urging of the palace security in order to avoid the risk of bloody street fighting, the report said.
Ghani also apologised, saying he regretted “how it ended”, according to a statement.
“Leaving Kabul was the most difficult decision of my life, but I believed it was the only way to keep the guns silent and save Kabul and her 6 million citizens. I have devoted 20 years of my life to helping the Afghan people work toward building a democratic, prosperous, and sovereign state – it was never my intent to abandon the people of that vision,” Ghani said in a long statement posted on his official Twitter handle.
“We stay steady where others waver: tonight we welcome Afghan nationals including women and kids seeking refuge,” Locsin said…reports Asian Lite News
The Philippines has opened its doors to Afghan refugees, Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said on Wednesday night.
“We stay steady where others waver: tonight we welcome Afghan nationals including women and kids seeking refuge,” Locsin said on Twitter. “Our doors are open to those fleeing conflict, persecution, sexual abuse and death.”
Locsin said that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will issue a statement on the matter, stressing “we’re not interested in publicity or thanks,” the Xinhua news agency reported.
The Philippines has started moving out its citizens from Afghanistan as the Taliban gained control of the country last month with the US withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan on August 30.
The DFA issued an alert level 4 for Afghanistan “due to the uncertain security situation in the country.”
Putin and Michel held a telephone conversation to discuss in detail the situation in Afghanistan…reports Asian Lite News
Russian President Vladimir Putin and European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday expressed readiness for cooperation to stabilise the situation in Afghanistan and avoid the risk of terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking.
Putin and Michel held a telephone conversation to discuss in detail the situation in Afghanistan, the Kremlin said in a press release.
It said both parties stressed the importance of maintaining peace, preventing violence, and launching a practical intra-Afghan dialogue to guarantee the country’s integrity, with due consideration for the interests of all groups in the country, the Xinhua news agency reported.
Earlier on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia has not yet planned to hold talks with the newly formed Afghan government but will establish contacts through its embassy in Kabul and continue to monitor the situation.
