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Afghans to never accept defeat: Ghani at Pentagon
In a ceremony at the Pentagon, Afghanistan’s president is thanking U.S. troops and taxpayers for their sacrifices in nearly 14 years of war.
President Ghani noted that Afghans are sacrificed every day in the fight against terrorism.
“Terrorism is a threat, despite Afghans suffer heavy casualties in fight against terrorism but they will never accept defeat and will finally gain victory” Ghani said at the Pentagon.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter welcomed Ghani and Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah at a ceremony in the Pentagon’s center courtyard then Ghani praised Kabul-Washington’s friendship and cooperation.
President Ashraf Ghani also offered assurances that his country would not be a burden on the international community as it continues to struggle against the Taliban and its own internal divisions.
He added that the national unity government is committed to give account for every dollar of US taxpayers.
President Ghani also urged the US troops who participated in Afghanistan combat to travel to Afghanistan as tourists.
Relations between Afghanistan and the US can be dated back to 1919, when King Amanullah, the reformist monarch of Afghanistan, dispatched the first Afghan envoy to Washington following independence from Britain.
However, full diplomatic relations were only established in 1934 and 1935, when the two countries designated ambassadors to the respective diplomatic missions.
Far from being stable, relations between the US and Afghanistan, since the establishment of diplomatic exchanges, have been characterized by inconsistent patterns of tension and collaboration.
Afghanistan and the United States have a very strong and friendly strategic partnership. In 2012, relations became even closer when the President of the United States, Barack Obama declared Afghanistan a Major non-NATO ally.
Mohammad Hassan Akhund, in his Eid message, has emphasized stronger support and assistance for returnees and victims of recent floods and earthquakes, saying the Islamic Emirate has worked to help affected families within its available capacity.
He said many of the challenges facing the Muslim world stem from division and self-interest, stressing that unity, cooperation, and solidarity must be strengthened at both individual and societal levels.
The prime minister noted that in recent months millions of migrants have returned to Afghanistan from neighboring countries, while others have been displaced due to natural disasters. He said the authorities have tried to provide assistance to these families to the extent possible.
Mohammad Hassan Akhund also instructed officials to visit families of martyrs, orphans, and people with disabilities during Eid and to listen to public concerns. He further directed security and defense forces to ensure heightened vigilance during the holiday period in order to maintain safety and allow citizens to celebrate Eid in peace.
Eid prayers were also held at the Sapidar Palace in Kabul with the participation of diplomatic representatives and senior officials, while across the country citizens gathered in mosques and open spaces to mark the occasion peacefully.
Residents in various provinces described Eid as a time of reconciliation and unity. A resident of Herat, Hamed, said Eid should be an opportunity to set aside grievances and strengthen bonds of friendship. Another resident, Sultan Ahmad Saber, said Eid is meant to remove divisions, embrace one another, and preserve purity of heart by forgetting past disputes.
In a separate message, former president Hamid Karzai called for the reopening of schools and universities for girls and the creation of job opportunities for women, stressing that Afghanistan’s progress depends on unity, education, and a shared sense of responsibility toward the country.
Turkmenistan and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) have discussed regional cooperation and major infrastructure projects aimed at supporting Afghanistan’s economic recovery, according to the Turkmen government.
The discussions took place during a meeting between Pavel Yershov, the newly appointed head of UNAMA’s office in Herat, and Batyr Yyolov, Turkmenistan’s consul general in Herat, Trend news agency reported.
Both sides emphasized Turkmenistan’s role in promoting stability and economic growth in Afghanistan through regional energy and transport projects, including the TAPI gas pipeline and electricity transmission initiatives.
The meeting also focused on ongoing railway development and modernization projects aimed at improving connectivity and trade links between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.
Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada, supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate, has said that the Islamic Emirate would not compromise on Islam or Islamic law with any country or group, but remains ready to engage with the international community within the framework of Sharia.
In his Eid al-Adha sermon at the Eidgah in Kandahar, Akhundzada said Afghans are prepared to endure economic hardships and external pressure, but “will not bow to infidels” or abandon their religious values. “The world should not expect us to compromise on the religion of Allah or give up our faith,” he said.
The Supreme Leader also stressed the importance of unity and preventing discord, saying solidarity among the people is essential for maintaining peace and preventing conflict in the country.
“I do not protect myself with the lives of the people; I protect the people with my own life,” he said. “I stood for unity, harmony and peace among the people so that war and discord would not return, and I remain committed to that.”
Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada also referred to the amnesty announced for former government officials and urged them to return to Afghanistan and live without fear. He said the country belongs to all Afghans and that everyone has the right to live in their homeland.
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