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Afghan Gov’t Fails to Extend Control Over Districts: SIGAR
The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) have failed to extend their control over Afghanistan’s districts, population, and territory over the past three months, according to a report issued by the US Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction (SIGAR).
Citing figures provided by the NATO-led ‘Resolute Support’ mission in the Central Asian country, SIGAR John Sopko said that between May and the end of July the Afghan government’s control or influence over the country’s population and districts saw no change from the previous quarter.
“While Afghan govt halted insurgency’s momentum in gaining control of Afghanistan’s districts, population & territory past quarter, it failed to improve its own areas of control,” the watchdog said.
However, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) claims that the insurgent groups only control eleven districts and the rest of them are under the government’s control.
“Of the 400 districts, only eleven of them are under the insurgents’ control, not more than that,” Muhammad Radmanish, spokesman of MoD said.
“13.8% of Afghanistan’s districts under insurgent control or influence, up 1% from same period last year,” SIGAR tweeted.
The watchdog stated that more than 6 in 10 (62%) of Kunduz Province residents under insurgent control or influence.
“Afghan govt controls or influences 58.5% (376,685 sq km) of Afghanistan’s total land area; down 1% from previous quarter,” it added.
Since 2015, according to SIGAR, the Afghan government control and influence over its districts has declined by about 16 percentage points; contested districts have increased by nine points; and insurgent control or influence has risen by nearly seven points.”
Zhao Xing, the Chinese Ambassador to Kabul, has invited political deputy prime minister Mawlavi Abdul Kabir to participate in the upcoming Trans-Himalayan Forum meeting.
The Chinese envoy said at a meeting Wednesday with Kabir that Beijing supports the Islamic Emirate in terms of attending international meetings, especially UN Security Council meetings.
Zhao also said China was committed to cooperating with the Islamic Emirate.
Kabir in turn expressed his gratitude for China’s support and cooperation across numerous sectors and said that as a responsible government, the Islamic Emirate is bound by commitments made and tries to play an active role in regional issues and the stability and development of the region.
Kabir also acknowledged China’s support of the Islamic Emirate and said Beijing’s cooperation can bring about positive changes and economic growth in the country.
Torkham commissioner Mullah Abdul Jabbar Hikmat said Thursday the crossing will be closed for the next three days in order for Pakistan border authorities to move into new premises.
He said the crossing has been closed to travelers and to people seeking medical help in Pakistan.
Hikmat appealed to the public not to make their way to the crossing over the next three days.
However, trucks carrying goods will still be able to cross as per usual, in both directions.
Pakistani media has also reported that the crossing will be closed from May 17 to May 19 in order to enable border officials to move into new premises.
Abdul Salam Hanafi, the Administrative Deputy Prime Minister, on Tuesday met with Jorge Moreira Da Silva, the Executive Director of UNOPS.
Hanafi extended a cordial welcome to Da Silva and his delegation, expressing gratitude for the organization’s endeavors and the benevolent contributions of the United Nations toward the people of Afghanistan.
He affirmed the Islamic Emirate’s support for UNOPS initiatives within Afghanistan and reaffirmed the commitment to furnish all requisite resources to facilitate the seamless execution of its projects.
Hanafi called on international aid organizations to cooperate in providing alternative crops to poppy cultivation and to help create job opportunities for Afghan youths.
Da Silva meanwhile told Hanafi that the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is planning to start a new solar driven irrigation system for agricultural land in Afghanistan.
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