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Afghanistan continues to deteriorate under Biden administration’s ‘failed policies’: McCaul
Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul, said on Thursday that the situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate every day under the “failed policies” of President Joe Biden’s administration.
McCaul stated this during the US House committee’s hearing on Afghanistan policy since the withdrawal of American troops from the country.
He suggested that in addition to restrictions on women, China’s activities in Afghanistan are also a source of concern.
“They are exploring the rarest minerals, and I won’t be surprised if one day we woke up and guess it is gonna take Bagram airbase that was a crown jewel of our ISR capability for that region that we turned over to the Taliban. I won’t be surprised if we woke up and find the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) operating that precious jewel we had in Afghanistan – Bagram airbase,” McCaul said.
Meanwhile, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West said that al-Qaeda’s ability to threaten the United States from Afghanistan or Pakistan is at a low point since the group relocated from Sudan in 1996.
“Al-Qaeda’s low capability is the result of successful counter-terrorism action by the United States and its allies over 20 years. The Taliban’s (IEA) sheltering of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a safe house in Kabul was a flagrant violation of their security commitments. Since then, we assess that the Taliban have undertaken efforts to fulfil their security commitments with regard to al-Qaeda,” West said.
Rina Amiri, US special envoy for Afghan women, emphasized that so long as IEA continue restrictions on women, there will be “no movement forward in normalization of our relations.”
IEA has previously said that it is committed to ensuring women’s rights according to Sharia law. It has also said that it will not allow anyone to pose threat from Afghan soil to other countries.
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan has signed a 30-year agreement with a private company to extract marble in Daikundi province.
Under the contract, the company will invest AFN 283 million in exploring and mining marble at the “Mesh-Uliya” site, spanning 16.74 square kilometers in central Daikundi.
Hedayatullah Badri, Minister of Mines and Petroleum, stated that the marble will be processed domestically before being exported abroad. He added that the Mesh-Uliya project is expected to create around 200 jobs, and the company is committed to supporting local communities through social initiatives.
Economic experts highlight that such investments, especially those focusing on domestic processing, are crucial for job creation, boosting exports, and strengthening the national economy. Analysts further note that the project will improve local infrastructure, expand social services, and enhance the economic and social well-being of Daikundi residents.
Since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, efforts to develop Afghanistan’s mining sector have intensified, with multiple contracts signed in areas including cement, copper, iron, and lapis lazuli, involving both domestic and international companies.
A passenger bus veered off the Salang Highway before dawn on Sunday, leaving five people dead and 44 others injured, the Ministry of Public Works said.
According to the ministry, the incident occurred at around 2:00 a.m. in the Shawol area of North Salang when a passenger bus deviated from the main road due to the driver’s negligence.
Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, said five passengers were killed and 44 others sustained injuries. He added that personnel from the Salang Maintenance and Protection Directorate promptly arrived at the scene and transferred the injured to the Khunjān clinic for medical treatment.
The Ministry of Public Works has urged drivers and passengers traveling on the Salang Highway to strictly follow the instructions of on-duty teams, observe traffic regulations, and carry warm clothing, food supplies, and snow chains to prevent similar incidents.
The ministry also noted that heavy snowfall and stormy weather have led to the temporary closure of the highway, while road maintenance teams are continuing snow-clearing operations.
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Major fire in Mandawi Kabul market contained, extensive losses prevented
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
The Ministry of Interior reported that personnel from the General Directorate of Firefighting and Emergency Response successfully prevented the further spread of a fire at Mandawi market on Kabul early Sunday morning.
Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for the ministry, said that the fire destroyed 10 storage facilities and 8 shops. He added that initial losses are estimated at around $700,000, but timely action by firefighting personnel saved property worth approximately $2.2 million.
Qani explained that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. He praised the rapid and effective containment operations, which prevented more extensive damage.
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
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