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US forces’ withdrawal to begin in a week
Mark Esper, the US Secretary of Defense said that the order of the US forces’ withdrawal has been issued to the Chiefs of Staff of the joint forces, emphasizing that the US keeps close monitoring over the Taliban’s actions, thus they will take the next step withdrawing their forces.
The Chiefs of Staff also supported the US-Taliban agreement for bringing peace to Afghanistan saying it was a conditioned agreement.
Apparently, the US force withdrawal process will be started gradually following the US-Taliban, after 19 years of war.
US Secretary of Defense talks about close monitoring of the Taliban’s actions adding that the future decisions of the US depend on the Taliban’s commitment.
According to him, the ‘preparation for the withdrawal of US forces within ten days’ is a sign of success for the US commitment to the peace agreement.
Mark Esper the US Secretary of Defense said that the US will decrease its troops to 8,600 within 135 days and will start withdrawing the US forces within 10 days, adding that he had commanded the joint forces’ Chief of Staff to start working on the withdrawal.
Esper also underlined that the remaining 8,600 troops hold the capability of conducting necessary military operations.
Mark Milley, the Chief of Staff for the joint forces considered the US-Taliban agreement a “very critical point” for Afghanistan to end the war and called it an achievement after the US’s sacrifices.
Mark Milley said, “This agreement, as the secretary said, is conditional and the best opportunity to end the war is now. Protecting the US national security is a priority one the agreement as well as it provides the best hope for a peaceful future for the people of Afghanistan.”
Although according to the agreement, the US war with the Taliban is over, another challenge for the Afghan peace process is starting the Intra-Afghan dialogues – begin with, the Taliban has set a precondition which is the release of 5,000 prisoners, but has been rejected by the Afghan government.
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Turkey invites IEA’s commerce minister to Antalya Diplomacy Forum
Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met on Thursday with Sadin Ayyıldız, Chargé d’Affaires of the Turkish Embassy in Kabul. During the meeting, Ayyıldız invited the Minister of Industry and Commerce to participate in Turkey’s Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Industry, the meeting also emphasized the economic, trade, and historical relations between Kabul and Ankara, as well as the export of Afghan goods to Turkey.
The two sides discussed increasing trade volume between the two countries, strengthening economic relations, facilitating and enhancing commercial activities, cooperation in road transport along various routes, activating the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, and regional cooperation.
Azizi, while thanking Turkey for inviting the Islamic Emirate to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, introduced the Ministry’s technical team to ensure better coordination and planning.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum is an international conference held annually in Turkey, aimed at examining global challenges and finding joint solutions through dialogue and diplomacy. It hosts representatives from more than 100 countries, including presidents, leaders, high-ranking officials, international organizations, analysts, and media from various countries.
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Afghan, Malaysian PMs discuss situation between Kabul and Islamabad
Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate, in a telephone conversation initiated by Mohammad Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, discussed regional developments, particularly the recent situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said in a statement that Hassan Akhund stated during the call that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s principled position is clear and that it believes in resolving issues through mutual understanding and cooperation.
Hassan Akhund added that during Eid al-Fitr, at the request of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, the Islamic Emirate demonstrated its goodwill by respecting a pause in defensive operations.
He stated that violence benefits no party and that actions that increase tensions should be avoided, emphasizing that wisdom and rationality must guide efforts to resolve problems.
He also expressed concern over rising regional tensions following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
The Malaysian Prime Minister also expressed concern about the regional situation and hoped that the temporary halt in hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan would continue, and that existing problems could be resolved through sincere negotiations and understanding.
He added that Malaysia aims to play a positive role in facilitating understanding between both parties.
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Iranian naval commander Alireza Tangsiri killed in airstrike, says Israel
Israel’s defence minister says that an Israeli air strike has killed Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ navy.
The killing was carried out “last night, in a precise and lethal operation” and targeted other “senior officers of the naval command”, said Israel Katz, in a video statement.
“The man who was directly responsible for the terrorist operation of mining and blocking the Strait of Hormuz to shipping was blown up and eliminated,” he claimed.
Since the start of the joint US-Israeli war on Iran on February 28, Israel has announced the assassination of several top Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Islamic Republic ‘s powerful security chief, Ali Larijani.
Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi, reporting from Tehran, said there was no official Iranian confirmation yet of Tangsiri’s killing.
“But if it’s true it’s going to be another major blow for a country that has already experienced a lot of military commanders being killed” since the war began, he said.
The head of the Basij paramilitary forces, Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani, and Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib were also assassinated in Israeli attacks.
Moreover, in recent days, Israeli forces have carried out several strikes targeting the naval assets of Iran.
Last week, Israeli airstrikes hit several Iranian naval ships in the Caspian Sea, including ones equipped with missile systems, support vessels, and patrol craft.
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