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SIGAR publishes report on deficiencies of MOD building
Today, SIGAR published an inspection of the U.S.-funded $154.7 million Afghan Ministry of Defense (MOD) headquarters. The MOD headquarters, with some exceptions, generally met contract requirements and appears well built.
Originally, the cost of the headquarters building was $48.7 million, and it was to be completed in about 18 months. However, there were problems with the contract from the outset, including the Afghan National Army refusing the contractor access to the site, as well as delays from weather, security, and funding issues. The cost to complete the building rose to $154.7 million, or more than three times the original estimated cost, and it took almost 5 years longer to complete than originally anticipated.
Despite the increased costs and delays, the MOD headquarters building contains some construction deficiencies, which potentially impact the building’s structural integrity during a seismic event or during prolonged periods of rain.
During the inspection visits to the MOD headquarters building, we examined the roof drainage system, seismic separation joints, exterior walls and stairwells plumbing fixture and mechanical equipment, seats and platform stage, electrical and water systems, windows, doors, and ceiling panels, as well as fire suppression pumps, fire alarms, and communications lines.
We have found other deficiencies not identified by AFCEC that could affect the building’s structural integrity during an earthquake or prolonged periods of rain.
MOD Deputy Spokesman Mohammad Radmanish said,” we will maintain MOD headquarters, but avoided to provide more details on the deficiencies of the MOD building’s structural.”
Professor Mohammad Haidari said,” SIGAR is trying to accuse the technical workers for corruption by publishing such report.”
One more issue has been addressed that the cost of MOD headquarters was supposed to be 49 $ million in 18 months but it costs 155 $ million and took 5 years to be built.
Reported by Ali Asghari
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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.
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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.
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Eight dead after 5.8-magnitude earthquake hits Afghanistan
The family members who perished included a father, mother, four daughters, and two sons. In addition to the deaths, a child was reported injured in the incident.
A powerful 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan on Friday, killing at least eight people and injuring a child when a house collapsed in Kabul. According to local officials, the victims were all members of the same family.
Hafiz Basharat, spokesperson for the Kabul Governor, confirmed that the fatalities occurred in the Bagrami district of Kabul. The family members who perished included a father, mother, four daughters, and two sons. In addition to the deaths, a child was reported injured in the incident.
The earthquake, which originated in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, struck at a depth of approximately 177 kilometers, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences. Tremors were felt across a wide area, including Kabul, Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, and India’s capital New Delhi.
Local authorities have yet to release additional details regarding the extent of the damage or any further casualties caused by the earthquake.
As rescue operations continue, Afghan authorities are assessing the full impact of the earthquake, which has left many concerned about the potential for more aftershocks in the region.
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