Latest News
UN calls on parties to stop fighting as civilian casualties mount in Helmand
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has expressed its deep concerns over civilians’ casualties in southern Helmand province as the Taliban continue offensives across the country.
UNAMA said Tuesday that at least 40 civilians have been killed and 118 others wounded within the last 24 hours in clashes between the Afghan army and the Taliban militants.
“Deepening concern for Afghan civilians in Lashkargah as fighting worsens. Latest reports show 118 civilians injured and 40 killed within last 24 hours as Taliban continue the ground assault and Afghan Army attempts to repel,” UNAMA tweeted.
The UN has also urged an “immediate end to fighting in urban areas.”
“Civilians are bearing the brunt as fighting enters Afghanistan’s cities… Thousands displaced. Likely many more. Population living in fear,” UNAMA said.
UNAMA added that the Taliban ground offensive and Afghan National Army (ANA) airstrikes causing the most harm.
“Deep concerns about indiscriminate shooting, damage to/occupation of health facilities and civilian homes. Parties must do more to protect civilians or impact will be catastrophic,” the organization stated.
Meanwhile, General Sami Sadat, Commander of the Army’s 215 Maiwand Corps, who is leading the battle against the Taliban in Helmand, urged Lashkargah residents to evacuate their houses as the ANDSF is planning large-scale operations to clear the city of Taliban.
Sadat stated that the decision was taken in order to prevent the civilian casualties.
“We are fighting against Taliban and will not leave them alive,” he warned.
Mohammad Wali Alizai, Helmand Governor, stated: “Pakistan is involved in Helmand clashes. The country is supporting the Taliban. I assure everyone that the situation will get normal soon.”
The Taliban has not commented in this regard, so far.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday in Tehran during an official visit.
According to Iranian media reports, the two diplomats discussed bilateral relations, recent regional developments, and issues of mutual interest.
Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), has inspected the construction work of the second lane of the Kabul–Jalalabad highway, Arg said on Thursday.
According to Arg’s statement , the Prime Minister visited the project site earlier in the day and expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Ministry of Public Works, project officials, and private contracting companies involved in the construction process. He also issued directives for the timely and high-quality completion of the project.
Akhund said the completion of the highway would significantly improve transportation facilities, transit operations, passenger movement, and contribute to economic growth in the surrounding regions.
Officials report that construction work on the second section of the project, covering 32 kilometers from the Kabul side, is currently about 20 percent complete.
Meanwhile, work on the first 22-kilometer section from the Nangarhar side is also ongoing. Surveying and design work for the third section is being carried out by a private company, with construction expected to begin after completion of the preparatory phase.
The Kabul–Jalalabad second-lane highway is regarded as one of Afghanistan’s key transport and economic infrastructure projects and is being developed in three phases.
Senior officials from the foreign ministries of Afghanistan and Russia held consultations in Kabul, focusing on expanding bilateral cooperation and strengthening regional engagement involving Afghanistan.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the meeting was held between A.V. Pavlovsky, Director of the Second Asia Department of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Abdul Hai Qanit, Director of the Third Political Department at Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two sides discussed cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian fields, as well as ways to strengthen regional interaction with Afghanistan’s participation.
The consultations underscore ongoing diplomatic engagement between Moscow and Kabul as the two countries continue to explore closer cooperation on regional and bilateral issues.
Tahawol: Ukraine conflict amid global developments discussed
IEA FM Muttaqi meets Iranian counterpart Araghchi in Tehran
IEA PM reviews progress of Kabul–Jalalabad second highway project
Saar: Calls for not forgetting Kabul on global stage discussed
Afghan, Russian officials discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in Kabul
Norway’s Viking-inspired World Cup team photo goes viral
TAPI project advances in Afghanistan as 84kms of pipeline laid
Afghanistan’s trade with Central Asia records sharp growth
Gaikwad set to replace injured Kohli for Afghanistan ODI Series
Iran banks hit by major cyber attack
Tahawol: Ukraine conflict amid global developments discussed
Saar: Calls for not forgetting Kabul on global stage discussed
Tahawol: Afghanistan’s retaliatory attacks against Pakistan discussed
Saar: Uzbekistan-Qatar support for Afghanistan’s development disucssed
Tahawol: Reactions to Pakistan’s attacks on Afghanistan discussed
-
Business4 days agoAfghanistan eyes direct Basmati rice imports from India amid tensions with Pakistan
-
Latest News5 days agoAfghan minister says ‘outsiders’ should not claim to support Afghanistan’s independence
-
Sport5 days agoAfghanistan, Uzbekistan set for friendly cricket clash in Khost
-
Sport2 days agoAfghanistan U-15 team qualifies for FIFA U-15 World Cup
-
International Sports5 days agoFIFA World Cup group stage wraps up; moves into high-stakes knock out round
-
International Sports4 days agoCanada makes World Cup history with late goal to eliminate South Africa
-
Latest News4 days agoKhalilzad condemns Pakistani airstrikes, questions Islamabad’s intentions
-
Regional5 days agoIran, US continue escalating attacks, recriminations over peace deal