Latest News
US closely monitoring current situation in Afghanistan: Milley
The Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley told the US Senate that the Taliban had taken control of numerous districts since May, but that the group would not be able to capture major cities.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has meanwhile said that Afghanistan is still in the world’s spotlight and that the United States will continue to support Afghanistan.
US intelligence sources have said however that the government will not last six months after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
The escalation of fighting and the spiraling out of control of a number of districts in recent days pulled senior US security officials into the US Senate.
The US Defense Secretary and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were summoned to a Senate hearing to answer questions about the current situation in Afghanistan.
Milley acknowledged that the Taliban have stepped up their attacks to seize district centers since the start of the withdrawal process of US troops from Afghanistan, but insists the United States is monitoring the current situation closely and said the Taliban cannot seize provincial capitals.
“We are closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan. The Taliban are not strong enough to occupy provincial capitals. Currently, 81 districts, out of 419, are under Taliban control. Before the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, 60 districts were in the hands of the Taliban.” Milley said.
However, Austin said there is now a new chapter in Kabul-Washington relations, one in which Afghan forces can fulfill their responsibilities to their people.
“Afghanistan is in the spotlight. We have now entered a new phase in our relationship with our Afghan partners, a relationship that helps them fulfill their responsibilities to their citizens,” Austin said.
However, US intelligence sources told The Wall Street Journal that the Afghan government would fall within six months after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. U.S. senators also say the Taliban’s conquest of districts is dangerous.
“The Taliban have taken control of several areas, including one of the most important in Kunduz province, and this is not the last case. Dozens of districts have been taken over by the Taliban since the peace talks stopped. We see the situation in Afghanistan with our own eyes every day,” US Senator Doug Lamborn said.
But the Afghan government maintains that Taliban movements are temporary and that the Afghan military can defend its territory with the cooperation of the people.
Noorullah Noori, Afghanistan’s Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs, held a phone conversation with Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, to discuss bilateral border cooperation.
According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening border collaboration, with a particular focus on the ongoing renovation and updating of border markers. They also agreed to accelerate joint technical and legal meetings to enhance coordination.
As part of the agreement, the next meeting of senior border officials from Afghanistan and Iran is scheduled to take place in Iran in 1405 (2026–2027).
The Director General of the OIC Mission in Kabul, Mohammed Saeed Alayyash, met on Sunday with Rolf Dieter Reinhard, Head of the German Liaison Office for Afghanistan in Doha and Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy in Afghanistan.
During the discussion, both sides exchanged views on the latest developments in Afghanistan. They focused on the security situation, as well as the humanitarian and economic conditions faced by the Afghan people.
The two officials also reviewed recent political developments and broader challenges in the country, highlighting the need for continued international engagement and support.
The meeting emphasized the importance of ongoing cooperation and coordination between the OIC Mission and the German side in addressing Afghanistan’s challenges and in supporting efforts to promote stability and improve the humanitarian situation.
Latest News
Pakistan president claims situation in Afghanistan is ‘similar to or worse than pre-9/11’’
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has warned that the presence of militant groups in the region poses risks to global peace, and repeated Islamabad’s concerns regarding what it describes as the activities of “terrorist organisations operating from Afghanistan.”
Zardari made the remarks in a statement issued Sunday, as he thanked world leaders for expressing solidarity with Pakistan following the recent attack on an imambargah in Islamabad, which left dozens dead and many others wounded. The incident was claimed by Daesh militant group.
According to the statement from the President’s Secretariat, Zardari said Pakistan remains committed to combating terrorism and stressed that no single country can address the threat alone.
“Pakistan has long maintained that terrorism cannot be confronted by a single country in isolation,” he was quoted as saying.
Citing Pakistan’s experience, he said in the statement that whenever “terrorist groups are allowed space, facilitation or impunity beyond national borders, the consequences are borne by innocent civilians all over the world.”
Zardari further claimed that the situation in Afghanistan under the Islamic Emirate authorities has created conditions “similar to or worse than pre-9/11,” and said this has influenced security developments across the region. IEA has repeatedly rejected such allegations, insisting that Afghan soil is not used against any country.
Afghan border minister holds phone talks with Iran’s deputy foreign minister
OIC Kabul mission chief meets German envoy to discuss Afghanistan situation
Iran arrests at least four reform front politicians
Early medal leaders emerge as Winter Olympics continue in Italy
Champions League Elite action continues as qualification race tightens
ICG report says Pakistan most impacted by IEA’s return in Afghanistan
Afghanistan–China joint market opens in Kabul
Pakistan approves re-export of stranded Afghan transit trade cargo
ATN secures broadcast rights to Carabao Cup semis across Afghanistan
Pakistan army orders evacuation of Tirah Valley, fears of mass displacement grow
Saar: Afghanistan’s relations and opportunities with regional countries
Tahawol: Kabul’s response to Pakistan’s new accusation discussed
Saar: Discussion on Iran-US talks in Oman
Tawsia: Afghanistan’s interest in buying Russian oil and gas
Tahawol: IEA calls UNSC’s Daesh concerns baseless
-
Latest News2 days agoAfghanistan to grant one- to ten-year residency to foreign investors
-
Latest News4 days agoTerrorist threat in Afghanistan must be taken seriously, China tells UNSC
-
Latest News5 days agoUzbekistan, Pakistan advance Trans-Afghan railway project
-
Sport5 days agoWinter Olympics finally underway, ATN to broadcast exclusively across Afghanistan
-
Sport5 days agoAfghanistan beat West Indies in final T20 WC warm-up match
-
Sport3 days agoIndonesia shock Japan to reach historic AFC Futsal Asian Cup final
-
Sport4 days agoMilano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: What You Need to Know
-
Latest News5 days agoAfghanistan hosts 4th Doha Process Counter-Narcotics Meeting, highlights progress