Earlier today, Taliban’s member Qari Yousaf Ahmadi said the Taliban have captured city of Ghazni, Sputnik reported. It is the tenth provincial city to fall to the Taliban….reports Asian Lite News
Iran on Thursday announced that it was temporarily closing its Consulate General in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Afghanistan’s Balkh province and moving it to Kabul amid the escalating violence between government forces and insurgent Taliban, which has wrested control of 10 provincial capitals in the war-torn country.
Iran’s Consulate General in Afghanistan announced the closure, saying that the ongoing fights might cause insecurity in Mazar-i-Sharif city where the diplomatic mission was based, reported Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
Earlier today, Taliban’s member Qari Yousaf Ahmadi said the Taliban have captured city of Ghazni, Sputnik reported. It is the tenth provincial city to fall to the Taliban.
The consulate general, however, stressed that it would continue offering services in Kabul for a limited period. As soon as the condition becomes stable, the mission resumes activity in Mazar-i-Sharif, IRNA reported.
Iranian Agency further reported that Iran’s Consulate General in the city was attacked in 1998. Several Iranian diplomats and IRNA’s correspondent were killed in the attack.
Afghanistan is witnessing a surge in violence as the Taliban has intensified its offensive against Afghan forces and civilians with the complete pullback of foreign forces just a few weeks away.
On Wednesday, President Ashraf Ghani appointed a new chief of army staff in an attempt to give a robust response to the terror group on the ground.
Haibatullah Alizai replaced Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, as the new chief of army staff. Alizai previously worked as commander of the Afghan National Army Commando. (ANI)
The Governor allegedly handed over the city to the Taliban in exchange for a safe passage but he was soon arrested by Afghan security forces in the province of Wardak….reports Asian Lite News
Governor of Afghanistan’s Ghazni province was arrested on Thursday for allegedly cutting a deal with the Taliban, which has taken control of the provincial capital also named Ghazni, according to media reports.
The Ghazni governor Dawood Laghmani was arrested from Wardak province situated south of Kabul, after a video showed him fleeing the city. Al Jazeera reported that the governor had made a deal with the Taliban for handing over the city in exchange for a safe passage for himself.
“The ministry of interior confirmed to Al Jazeera that the Ghazni governor was arrested before he reached Kabul “for surrendering without a fight.”
The Governor allegedly handed over the city to the Taliban in exchange for a safe passage but he was soon arrested by Afghan security forces in the province of Wardak.
The Taliban captured Ghazni, the capital of the eponymous province in Afghanistan’s southeast, spokesperson Qari Yousaf Ahmadi claimed today.
The group seized the governor’s residence, police headquarters, prison and several other facilities in the city, the spokesperson tweeted.
Meanwhile, President Ashraf Ghani appointed a new chief of army staff.
The Taliban’s aggressive offensive has hit the Afghan Army badly as the terror group has snatched 10 provincial capitals from the government in Afghanistan.
On Wednesday, after holding out for days at a military base on the edge of Kunduz, hundreds of Afghan forces surrendered to the Taliban, handing over valuable equipment, according to two Afghan officers who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the news media, reported The Washington Post.
Due to rising violence in the country by the Taliban, the situation is deteriorating badly as the terror group has been looting people and killing civilians after capturing multiple areas from the government.
The Taliban escalated its offensive against the Afghan forces soon after the US forces started leaving Afghanistan in large numbers after the peace deal signed between Washington and the Taliban in February last year. (ANI)
Local media and journalists posted images and videos of Afghan forces fleeing from the city in the western part of Afghanistan….reports Asian Lite News
The Taliban on Thursday claimed to have seized Herat, Afghanistan’s third-largest city amid US troop withdrawal from the country.
Herat “was also captured,” Sputnik reported citing a Taliban statement.
Buildings in the province, including the police headquarters, came under Taliban control, and government forces “laid down their arms,” it added.
Local media and journalists posted images and videos of Afghan forces fleeing from the city in the western part of Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that Taliban has entered Kandahar city. Some local residents told the media outlet that the situation in Afghanistan’s second-largest city was “dire”, as intense fighting rages between rebels and government forces inside the city limits.
Earlier today, the Taliban captured Ghazni, the country’s tenth provincial city to fall under Taliban control.
Afghanistan is witnessing a surge in violence as the Taliban has intensified its offensive against Afghan forces and civilians with the complete pullback of foreign forces just a few weeks away.
Due to rising violence in the country by the Taliban, the situation is deteriorating badly as the terror group has been looting people and killing civilians after capturing multiple areas from the government.
The Taliban escalated its offensive against the Afghan forces soon after the US forces started leaving Afghanistan in large numbers after the peace deal signed between Washington and the Taliban in February last year.
On Wednesday, President Ashraf Ghani appointed a new chief of army staff in an attempt to give a robust response to the terror group on the ground.
Haibatullah Alizai replaced Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, as the new chief of army staff. Alizai previously worked as commander of the Afghan National Army Commando. (ANI)
The marine-life park, which is set to feature the world’s largest and most expansive marine aquarium and the new Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center, is currently 64% complete….reports Asian Lite News
Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading curator of magnetic experiences, in partnership with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, announced significant progress on the construction of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the next generation of marine life theme parks and Yas Island’s latest mega-development.
The marine-life park, which is set to feature the world’s largest and most expansive marine aquarium and the new Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center, is currently 64% complete.
On track for completion in 2022, recent major construction milestones include the completion of the primary steel erection and near finalisation of the envelope enclosure of the marine-life park. Additionally, the structure’s façade is currently in progress, as well as over 70% of the acrylic panels installed across the park.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, once complete, is set to be home to the world’s largest and most expansive marine-life aquarium, containing 25 million litres of water and housing more than 68,000 marine animals, including sharks, schools of fish, manta rays and sea turtles. A main focal view of the aquarium will present visitors with the “Endless Vista”, an impressive 20m tall vertical window across multiple levels revealing stunning aquatic scenes.
Building off SeaWorld’s extensive research and rescue expertise, the Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center will act as an advanced knowledge hub focusing on indigenous Gulf and marine life ecosystems. The facility will be located adjacent to the aquarium and theme park, and will be the first dedicated marine research, rescue, rehabilitation and return center in the UAE.
It will integrate with SeaWorld’s ongoing efforts related to research, rescue, conservation, and education. Accessible to visitors by reservation, the Research and Rescue Center will also demonstrate the work from resident scientists and researchers, enriching guests’ knowledge of aquatic animals, and offering tailored educational learning programs for both local and international schools and touring groups.
Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral said: “We are delighted to be partnering with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment in developing this next generation marine life park, that is set to feature the world’s largest marine aquarium and the UAE’s first dedicated research center to study and care for animals.”
Visitors to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will have the opportunity to interact with one of the most diverse populations of animals featured in any marine-life park, globally. The “Endless Ocean” themed aquarium encapsulates the expanse and scale of the marine display for guests and is one element featured within a unified “One Ocean” experience, interlinking six distinct realms throughout the marine-life park.
The “One Ocean” narrative will augment the park’s ability to simulate the natural habitats of different species, living harmoniously as they would in the wild. Guests will be encouraged to explore these natural underwater environments via immersive storytelling techniques and the latest cutting-edge technologies, further deepening an appreciation and understanding of ocean life.
The head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, Abdullah Abdullah, presented to the members of Troika-plus the scheme of Afghan government for winding up the ongoing war in Afghanistan, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
The Afghan government has offered the Taliban a share in power so long as the rising violence in the country comes to a halt, Al Jazeera reported on Thursday, citing a government source.
The proposal was delivered through Qatar, the host of Afghan peace talks, according to the source.
In another development, the head of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), Abdullah Abdullah, presented to the members of Troika-plus the scheme of Afghan government for winding up the ongoing war in Afghanistan.
The extended Troika meeting comprises the US, Russia, China, and Pakistan, aimed at resuming meaningful intra-Afghan peace negotiations.
Abdullah said the Afghan government is committed to end the ongoing conflicts through negotiations.
The head of HCNR was addressing the representatives of the US, China, Pakistan and Russia in the Troika-plus meeting held in Doha on Wednesday evening.
Abdullah further added that the major powers of the world along with the Afghans want an independent and united Afghanistan which is free of terrorism.
He also accused the Taliban of being indifferent to the peace negotiations which has led to a stalemate in intra-Afghan talks.
The Afghan foreign ministry also raised grave concerns over the Taliban’s brutal attacks on cities, which have led to war crimes and blatant human rights violations and humanitarian catastrophe in the country.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan reiterates that the continuation of the Taliban’s bloody attacks in collusion with regional and international terrorists will not only lead to a humanitarian catastrophe and the protraction of war in Afghanistan but also exacerbate violent extremism and incite terrorists in the region posing a serious and irreparable threat to the collective security of the region and the world,” the foreign ministry statement said.
“Therefore, stopping the Taliban violence and crimes in direct collusion with regional and international terrorists will be not only in the interest of Afghanistan but in the interest of the whole world, especially the countries of the region,” it added.
Afghan security force members walk past coffins of comrades killed in a checkpoint attack by Taliban militants in Faiz Abad district of Jawzjan province. (Photo by Mohammad Jan Aria_Xinhua_IANS)
Taliban move closer to Kabul
The Taliban have captured the city of Ghazni, the capital of the eponymous province in Afghanistan’s southeast, the Taliban’s member Qari Yousaf Ahmadi said on Thursday.
The militants seized the governor’s residence, police headquarters, a prison and several other facilities in the city, Qari Yousaf Ahmadi wrote on Twitter.
The Afghan government forces have suffered significant casualties, and 10 soldiers surrendered, Ahmadi added.
In addition, the radical group has taken control of most areas in the city of Tarinkot, the capital of the Uruzgan province, without any resistance, a local source told Sputnik.
Meanwhile, the security forces arrested Ghazni Governor Dawood Laghmani along with his colleague in the afternoon, said an Interior Ministry officials.
The governor was arrested after he left the Ghazni province for Kabul, TOLO News citing ministry spokesperson reported.
“Dawood Laghmani, governor of Ghazni province, and his colleagues were arrested by security forces this afternoon, said Interior Ministry spokesman Mirwais Stanekzai. The governor was arrested after he left the province for Kabul and the Taliban captured most of Ghazni city,” it said in a Tweet.
Currently, the Taliban are trying to capture the local police headquarters. At the same time, the Afghan military liberated overnight a large area two kilometers from the city, the source added.
The hostilities in Afghanistan have been on the rise since foreign troops began withdrawing from the country. (ANI/Sputnik)
Govt says it hopes for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and will extend support to all peace initiatives in Afghanistan, reports Asian Lite News
The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday informed that India is participating in a meeting on Afghanistan Peace Process in Doha. Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran) JP Singh is currently there as he has been invited by Qatar Special Envoy Mutlaq Bin Majed Al-Qahtani during his visit to India last week from August 5 to August 8.
“The meeting will include several other stakeholders within Afghanistan. The meeting is underway today and we will share with you updates once the meeting is over,” the MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a media briefing.
During his visit to India, the Qatar envoy had met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during which the EAM had shared India’s perspectives on the recent developments in the war-torn country.
Jaishankar in a tweet had said that he was pleased to receive the Qatar special envoy. “Shared the Indian perspective on recent developments in Afghanistan. Also the concerns of the region that I had heard during the interactions”
Qahtani had also met Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. The MEA Spokesperson noted that discussions were held on the situation in Afghanistan for a peaceful and stable country. The Qatar spokesperson also discussed bilateral relations with the Foreign Secretary.
As regards the situation in Afghanistan, Bagchi said that India hopes for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire. “We are supporting all peace initiatives in Afghanistan. Primary concern is peace and stability in that country”, he said.
When asked about discussions with the Taliban, Bagchi said, “We are in touch with all stakeholders, various stakeholders. I would not like to say anything further”.
India closely monitoring developments in Afghanistan: MEA
Expressing hope that there will be an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Afghanistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said it is closely monitoring the developments in the war-ravaged country.
“We are supporting all peace initiatives Afghanistan, our primary concern is peace and stability in that country and offering a prosperous future that is independent, sovereign, democratic,” said Bagchi.
Bagchi maintained that India was in touch with all stakeholders as the situation on the ground was evolving.
Speaking about the threats posed to safety and security of Hindu and Sikh minorities living in Afghanistan, the MEA Spokesperson said, “We are closely monitoring developments in this regard, we are concerned about the deteriorating security situation.”
Referring to Wednesday’s security advisory issued by India for its nationals, he said, “Our mission in Kabul issued an advisory for Indian nationals earlier this week, advising them to return to India via commercial flights.”
“Last year, our mission in Kabul had facilitated the return of more than 383 members of the Hindu and Sikh community in Afghanistan, to India, and our embassy, our mission Kabul continues to remain in touch with Afghan Hindu and Sikh community members and we will ensure the provision of all necessary assistance to them,” the MEA Speokesperson said.
Replying to a question on reports of Indian assisted projects in Afghanistan under attack by Taliban, Bagchi stated, “I think it’s wrong to term them as, you know, Indian projects. These are projects that were done with Indian assistance, Indian support, but are projects of the government and people of Afghanistan.”
“And once we hand over them, we don’t make any claim that these projects as our own, of course, these are very useful and important projects for the development of the people of Afghanistan and we certainly hope that they will not get damaged and will continue to provide the benefit,” he stated.
Denying claims made in media reports of Taliban gaining control of a Mi-24 helicopter India had given to Afghanistan, the MEA Spokesperson informed that it was not an Indian Air Force helicopter.
Significantly, Pakistan, which has patronised the Taliban, was also at the meeting and Price gave the impression that it was also in agreement with the declaration…reports Arul Louis
Under the looming threat of a Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, India has joined 11 countries to oppose any military solution to the conflict in that country and declare it will not recognise any government imposed by force, according to US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price.
He told reporters on Thursday that India participated in a meeting hosted by the US and Qatar at which the participating countries “agreed, first and foremost, that the peace process needs to be accelerated. And they also agreed, importantly, that they will not recognise any government that is imposed through military force.”
Significantly, Pakistan, which has patronised the Taliban, was also at the meeting and Price gave the impression that it was also in agreement with the declaration.
China and Turkey, as well as the United Nations and the European Union were among the participants, at the Doha meeting and they met also with the representatives of the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Ignoring the peace deal with President Joe Biden’s administration, the Taliban has been sweeping though Afghanistan effectively taking Kandhar and Herat by Thursday night and imperilling the capital Kabul ahead of the US deadline to pull its troops out of the country by the end of the month.
Reversing the drawdown of troops, the US announced on Thursday that it was sending about 3,000 Army and Marine troops to help with the evacuation of its embassy personnel in Kabul.
“We expect to draw down to a core diplomatic presence in Afghanistan in the coming weeks. In order to facilitate this reduction, the Department of Defense will temporarily deploy additional personnel to Hamid Karzai International Airport,” Price told reporters.
But he insisted that the US will continue to have a diplomatic presence in Kabul.
“Let me be very clear about this: The embassy remains open and we plan to continue our diplomatic work in Afghanistan,” he said, adding, “Additionally, we will continue our focus on counterterrorism.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed the security situation in Afghanistan with President Ashraf Ghani and assured him that the US “remains committed to maintaining a strong diplomatic and security relationship” with his government, according to the Defence Department.
Austin reaffirmed that “a unified Afghanistan and cohesive” Afghan defence force are “the linchpin of peace and security in the face of a heavy fighting season,” it added.
The Taliban has now pushed into nine provincial capitals. On Tuesday alone, three towns were overrun by the group….reports Asian Lite News
An entire corps of the Afghanistan army surrendered to Taliban on Wednesday as the insurgents consolidated their hold on the country’s northern region, overrunning three towns in a single day.
After holding out for days at a military base on the edge of Kunduz, hundreds of Afghan forces surrendered to the Taliban, handing over valuable equipment, according to two Afghan officers who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the news media, reported The Washington Post.
The Taliban has now pushed into nine provincial capitals. On Tuesday alone, three towns were overrun by the group.
Taliban on Tuesday night also captured the ninth provincial capital in Afghanistan i.e; Fayzabad city, which is the centre of northern Badakhshan province next to the Tajikistan border.
The terrorist group shared images of insurgents patrolling the streets and hoisting the white Taliban flag in the main square of the fallen city, Anadolu Agency reported.
Afghan security forces inspect the site of a car bombing in Kandahar city, capital of Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan
“The province of Badakhshan with all its belongings has been ‘conquered, ” Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahed said in a tweet.
With US and NATO forces announcing withdrawal from the country, the Taliban began an assault on major cities and seized control of cities of Sar-e-Pol, Sheberghan, Aybak, Kunduz, Taluqan, Pul-e-Khumri, Farah, Zaranj and Faizabad.
The surrender of the Afghan corps ceded the last island of government control in the provincial capital to the Taliban.
The Taliban has gained territories at a speed which has surprised many, the made sweeping gains in the northern and western Afghanistan.
Taliban fighters have made rapid gains across the country since the final phase of the US withdrawal began in May. Over the past week, the terrorists have started pushing into urban areas.
Government control has shrunk dramatically, to less than a third of the country’s territory. The United States is continuing to support Afghan forces with airstrikes, but the withdrawal of foreign troops is set to conclude at the end of August, reported Washington Post.
In Kunduz, local elders had visited Afghan military commanders at the base near the city’s airport and asked them to surrender to the Taliban, which pledged not to harm them, said Zargul Alemi, a member of the Kunduz provincial council who fled the province before the surrender, reported Washington Post.
Alemi said that after some commanders accepted the surrender deal, along with a fraction of soldiers at the base, the rest of the forces retreated to a nearby mountain range.
“I don’t know why the commanders did not gather their forces and fight until the last drop of their blood, with all the guns, resources and ammunition they had in the airport and the corps,” Alemi said. The soldiers who surrendered handed over Humvees, weapons and other supplies to the Taliban, she said.
The two Afghan officers said that those who surrendered were escorted by the Taliban to a nearby district where they were offered protection as long as they did not leave Kunduz province, reported Washington Post.
“We feel betrayed,” said Fawzia Yaftali, another Kunduz provincial council member, who accused the government in Kabul of making a deal with the Taliban to hand the terrorists control of the country’s north.
Afghanistan is witnessing a surge in violence as the Taliban has intensified its offensive against Afghan forces and civilians with the complete pullback of foreign forces just a few weeks away. (ANI)
Haibatullah Alizai replaced Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, as the new chief of army staff….reports Asian Lite News
As the Taliban is gaining ground in the multiple key areas of Afghanistan, President Ashraf Ghani appointed a new chief of army staff on Wednesday in an attempt to give a robust response to the terror group on the ground.
Haibatullah Alizai replaced Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, as the new chief of army staff. Alizai previously worked as commander of the Afghan National Army Commando, Afghanistan Times reported.
Ahmadzai was appointed as army chief a few months back, but he has faced a lot of criticism due to his weak management. Meanwhile, commander of the Maiwand corps, Sami Sadat was appointed as commander of the Afghan National Army Commandos, Afghanistan Times added.
The Taliban’s aggressive offensive has hit the Afghan Army badly as the terror group has snatched nine provincial capital from the government in Afghanistan.
On Wednesday, after holding out for days at a military base on the edge of Kunduz, hundreds of Afghan forces surrendered to the Taliban, handing over valuable equipment, according to two Afghan officers who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the news media, reported The Washington Post.
Due to rising violence in the country by the Taliban, the situation is deteriorating badly as the terror group has been looting people and killing civilians after capturing multiple areas from the government.
The Taliban escalated its offensive against the Afghan forces soon after the US forces started fleeing Afghanistan in large numbers after the peace deal signed between Washington and the Taliban in February last year. (ANI)
Top Afghan peace negotiator Abdullah Abdullah and US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad are also in attendance, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
Amid unabated violence in Afghanistan, a three-day conference is underway in Doha, Qatar to discuss the peace process in the war-torn country, with attendance from the Taliban, the US, and a host of other countries.
The participants at the high level titled Troika Plus include representatives from the UN, Qatar, US, UK, EU, China, Uzbekistan and Pakistan.
Top Afghan peace negotiator Abdullah Abdullah and US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad are also in attendance.
Participants will discuss the Afghan peace process, Ariana News reported.
Feraidoon Khozon, a spokesperson for the Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), said: “Afghan delegation will convey its message of reduction in violence and accelerating peace negotiations in this meeting.”
Meanwhile, US special envoy Khalilzad who left Washington for Doha on Sunday had said he will push the Taliban to stop their military offensive and engage in peace talks with the Afghan government.
Later Tuesday, during a presser, a State Department spokesperson had said that “…Ambassador Khalilzad is there to seek to advance and seek to support. He will press the Taliban to stop their military offensive and to negotiate a political settlement.”
This meeting in Troika Plus format comes on the heel of the UNSC’s special session on Afghanistan where member states expressed concern about the deteriorating situation and called for a political settlement.
Afghanistan is witnessing a surge in violence as the Taliban has intensified its offensive against Afghan forces and civilians with the complete pullback of foreign forces just a month away.
‘Kabul could fall to Taliban in 1-3 months’
The United States is concerned that the Taliban could capture Kabul in 1-3 months, far sooner than previous intelligence assessment suggested, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing informed American officials.
According to the newspaper, the situation in the country is now worse than it was in June when the US intelligence predicted that Kabul could collapse in 6-12 months after the American troop pullout from Afghanistan.
“Everything is moving in the wrong direction,” a source familiar with the new intelligence assessment told the paper.
The hostilities between the Afghan government and the Taliban have intensified as foreign troops began withdrawing from the country. The Taliban have since captured large rural territories and launched an offensive on major cities.
White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Tuesday that President Joe Biden continues to believe it is not inevitable the Taliban take over Kabul or entire Afghanistan.
Finance Minister leaves country
Afghanistan’s acting Finance Minister Khalid Payenda has stepped down and left the country following pressure from the presidential palace, local media reported.
According to sources, Payenda is not likely to return to Afghanistan. A letter from the Ministry of Finance, referred to by the TV channel, says the minister left the country “on an official visit,” Sputnik reported.
His resignation comes at a time when Afghanistan is witnessing a surge in violence amid US-led foreign troops’ pullback from the war-torn country.
“Today I stepped down as the Acting Minister of Finance. Leading MoF was the greatest honor of my life but it was time to step down to attend to personal priorities. I’ve put Mr. Alem Shah Ibrahimi, Deputy Minister for Revenue & Customs in charge until a new minister is appointed,” Payenda wrote on Twitter.
In less than a week, the Taliban captured seven out of 34 provincial capitals in the country. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday informed that at least 180 people have been killed while more than 1,180 have been wounded in four Afghan cities alone since July 9 as Taliban offensives have escalated.
The Afghan government forces and the Taliban must stop fighting “to prevent bloodshed.”If they fail to return to the negotiating table and reach an agreement, the situation for the Afghan people will become “even worse”,” Sputnik reported citing Michelle Bachelet. (ANI/Sputnik)
