Latest News
Extreme differences between two top Taliban leaders in Afghan Peace Talks
Reuters reported from Taliban and Pakistani sources that the two senior Taliban figures have fierce differences in peace negotiations with Afghan government.
According to two Taliban sources, the Taliban political leader Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, favors negotiation, and battlefield commander Abdul Qayum Zakir, a former Guantanamo Bay detainee opposes talks with Afghanistan.
Reuters added in the report that the Afghan Taliban had signaled willingness to enter talks to end Afghanistan’s long war, senior representatives of the militant group visited Islamabad for secret discussions on the next step forward.
Mansour and Zakir, long-time rivals, met recently to resolve their personal differences, slaughtering sheep for a feast to mark the occasion, according to two Taliban sources.
But Mansour was unable to persuade Zakir to reverse his opposition to direct talks with Kabul, which he sees as “wasting time” because the United States holds real power in Afghanistan, the sources added.
According to two senior insurgent commanders with direct knowledge of the Taliban delegation’s visit to Islamabad, the group then traveled on to Quetta, the southwestern Pakistani city where many Taliban leaders remain in hiding, to brief them on the preliminary discussions.
“They said Pakistani officials had advised them to remove our internal differences before starting formal talks with Kabul,” one of the Taliban commanders said by telephone.
Because Zakir holds sway over several thousand fighters in eastern Afghanistan, it is uncertain any ceasefire could hold were he to continue opposing direct talks with Kabul.
Meanwhile, a number of Afghan analysts believe that Pakistan is able to bring Taliban to the negotiation table with Afghan government.
Earlier, Afghan officials have said that Peace Talks with Taliban will be started without any preconditions.
Latest News
Severe rainfall and natural disasters cause heavy casualties across Afghanistan
At least 61 people have been confirmed dead, with 116 others injured. Four individuals remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations are underway.
The Spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, has confirmed widespread devastation across the country following a series of natural disasters and heavy rainfall. The toll continues to rise as authorities assess the damage.
At least 61 people have been confirmed dead, with 116 others injured. Four individuals remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations are underway. The disaster has also led to the destruction of 2,448 homes, leaving thousands displaced, while 26,841 acres of agricultural land have been severely damaged. In addition, the storm claimed the lives of 1,045 livestock animals, further exacerbating the already dire situation for rural communities.
In a statement, Mujahid emphasized the ongoing relief efforts. The Islamic Emirate is mobilizing all available resources to assist the hardest-hit regions and ensure the swift recovery of affected communities. The focus remains on providing immediate aid, including shelter, medical supplies, and food, while also beginning the long-term process of reconstruction and recovery.
Authorities have urged citizens in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant as more rain is forecast, adding to the urgency of the ongoing relief operations.
Latest News
Afghan citizens reported among casualties in US, Israeli attacks, Iran says
As of now, authorities of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have not issued an official response to the claims.
Iran’s Embassy in Kabul, citing Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, has stated that a number of Afghan citizens were killed or injured during what Tehran described as a 35-day military campaign carried out by the United States and Israel.
According to the statement, the Afghan nationals were living in Iran at the time of the attacks. Baghaei referred to them as “honored guests” of the country, adding that some lost their lives while others sustained injuries during the reported strikes.
He did not provide specific figures regarding the number of Afghan casualties or further details about the incidents.
As of now, authorities of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have not issued an official response to the claims.
Latest News
Save the Children: Nearly one Afghan child killed or injured daily by explosive remnants
Despite the efforts of aid organizations and demining groups, the scale of the contamination remains overwhelming.
Save the Children has issued a stark warning, revealing that nearly one Afghan child is killed or injured every day by explosive remnants of war (ERW). In its latest report, the global humanitarian organization emphasized the ongoing and deadly impact of landmines and unexploded ordnance scattered across the country, a legacy of decades of conflict.
From January 2025 to January 2026, 338 Afghan children were killed, injured, or permanently disabled by explosive remnants. Shockingly, children represented nearly 70 percent of all casualties from such explosions during this period. Save the Children’s report underscores that Afghanistan continues to have the highest number of child casualties due to explosive remnants worldwide.
The report highlights that vast swathes of Afghanistan remain contaminated with hazardous materials, with more than 2.7 million people – including many children – living within one kilometer of these dangerous zones. These hazardous areas, often located in fields, pastures, and farmlands, remain uncleared despite ongoing demining efforts. Afghanistan is now considered one of the most contaminated countries globally, with nearly 5,000 hazardous sites still awaiting clearance.
The danger is particularly acute for rural and nomadic communities, including the Kuchi, who traverse long distances in search of water and grazing lands. These communities face severe challenges in accessing healthcare, education, and protection services, further compounding the risks posed by unexploded devices.
To address the growing threat, Save the Children has launched mobile awareness programs aimed at teaching children, particularly in remote and underserved regions, how to identify and avoid explosive hazards. These programs are crucial in helping to reduce the number of child casualties, as children are often unaware of the dangers in their environment.
Despite the efforts of aid organizations and demining groups, the scale of the contamination remains overwhelming. Funding shortages continue to hamper the progress of clearance operations, leaving families and children exposed to the deadly remnants of past conflicts.
“Explosive remnants of war are not just a legacy of Afghanistan’s past; they are an ongoing humanitarian emergency that continues to claim innocent lives,” said Save the Children. “The international community must step up its support to ensure the safety of Afghan children and accelerate efforts to clear these life-threatening hazards.”
As the country struggles to recover from years of conflict, the need for comprehensive and sustained demining operations, alongside better access to education and healthcare for at-risk communities, has never been more urgent.
-
Latest News5 days agoTAPI gas pipeline advances 25 km in Afghanistan
-
Latest News3 days agoBaradar approves 17 projects worth over one billion AFN
-
Business4 days agoRussia backs Uzbekistan–Afghanistan trade hub, praises regional economic cooperation
-
Sport4 days agoATN secures broadcast rights for inaugural Afghanistan Wrestling Premier League
-
Sport3 days agoATN to broadcast second season of Ariana Snooker Championship
-
Regional4 days agoGas pipeline blown up in southern Pakistan, says official
-
Sport4 days agoRajasthan Royals outclass Chennai Super Kings as IPL action continues
-
Latest News4 days agoIslamic Relief Worldwide urges Afghanistan–Pakistan de-escalation, calls for aid to displaced

