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Ghani praises Obama’s decision to slow pace of US troop withdrawal
President Ashraf Ghani has welcomed President Barack Obama’s recent decision to keep around 5,500 troop in Afghanistan beyond 2016.
Ghani noted that beside supporting and equipping Afghan soldiers, these forces will help Afghan forces to combat against terrorism in Afghanistan.
The troops will train and advise Afghan military forces and carry out counterterrorism strikes against remnants of al Qaeda and other Islamic extremist forces that have gained a toehold in the country.
He emphasized that the United States is said to consider a stable Afghanistan beneficial for the world and Washington.
President Barack Obama announced Thursday that he would not withdraw American troops in Afghanistan as previously planned, and will instead leave about 9,800 soldiers there through most of 2016. “Afghan forces are still not as strong as they need to be,” he said.
Obama added that the plan stipulates that 5,500 troops will remain at bases in Kabul, Bagram, Jalalabad and Kandahar into 2017, and that their training and counterterrorism missions “will not change”.
President Obama’s original plan was to leave all but a small group of troops to protect the American Embassy in Kabul after he leaves office. Combat operations were formally ended in December 2014.
But he has twice altered that withdrawal timeline in the face of persistent Taliban attacks.
President Ghani said that Afghan troops had made remarkable strides in recent years. But he noted that the U.S. and European troops have better training, superior weapons and the backing of attack planes and helicopters that can race to their aid.
“The success has to be judged comparatively,” he said in an interview. “Not a single province has fallen; not a single battalion has deserted; not a single army corps has refused to fight. They secured the election; they have borne the casualties, and they’ve moved from defensive to offensive.”
Both Obama and Ghani stressed that an end to the war in Afghanistan could only come through a political deal with the Taliban. In recent years, talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government have shown few signs of progress. Since taking over as president, Ghani has sought to smooth relations with Pakistan, whose support would be critical to any long-term peace deal.
Meanwhile, a number of Afghan analysts say that with renewing US military mission in Afghanistan, from now on US forces must target terrorist havens in Pakistan.
This comes as President Obama will meet Pakistani Prime Minister in the White House to talk over eliminating terrorist havens of Taliban in Pakistan.
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Kabul to host ‘Afghanistan–Central Asia Consultative Dialogue’ tomorrow
At the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the “Afghanistan–Central Asia Consultative Dialogue” will be held in Kabul tomorrow (Sunday).
The meeting will be chaired by Amir Khan Muttaqi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and attended by senior representatives from Afghanistan and Central Asian countries.
The discussions will cover political, economic, and security issues, as well as the development of regional cooperation, trade, and transit.
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Around 15,000 cases of vulnerable Afghan children addressed over past year
The Directorate of Child Protection at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs announced on Saturday that in the solar year 1404, through the implementation of extensive support programs and the handling of thousands of protective cases, it has achieved significant accomplishments in securing rights, raising awareness, and improving the situation of children across Afghanistan.
According to the directorate, the registered cases have been organized into 23 different categories, allowing for targeted and specialized handling of each type of case. In the area of awareness-raising, extensive programs have also been implemented to improve the general knowledge of children and their families, resulting in 404,207 children and family members being informed about child rights, explosive hazards, environmental protection, and other important topics.
To strengthen local structures and accelerate case management, the Directorate of Child Protection, within the framework of its 1404 work plan, established 20 new committees at the district level in provincial centers. These committees play a key role in coordinating between government offices, rapidly identifying cases, and providing support services. Currently, child protection committees are active in 204 districts and regularly review and resolve children’s issues.
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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.
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