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Afghan-US Forces Launch Operation to Eliminate Processing Centers of Drugs

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(Last Updated On: October 24, 2022)

Afghan security forces backed by the U.S. forces launched special operations last night to eliminate the processing centers of drugs in the country.

At the beginning phase, these operations are mostly focused on some targets in Helmand province, mainly those processing centers located in Sangin, Musa Qala, Kajaki, and Nawzad districts.

Eight major drug processing centers were targeted and eliminated in a series of airstrikes conducted last night, November 19.

Opium cultivation and drug trafficking are said to be the most lucrative sources for the Taliban which fuels their strong resurgence against Afghan forces and its international allies.

However, Afghan government says that counter-narcotic campaign is one of its strategic objectives.

Most of the southern Helmand province is reportedly under the Taliban control and produces a huge amount of world’s opium.

NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING

The U.S. Commander of International Forces, Gen. John Nicholson on Monday at joint press conference with Afghan Chief of Army Staff said that narcotics remain largest source of revenue for the Taliban.

Nicholson said the Taliban earn more than $200 million annually from drug trafficking. “They fight so that they can keep profiting from narcotics trade and other criminal activities,” he said.

Opium production in Afghanistan reached record highs this year, up 87 percent on last year, according to the United Nations recent estimation. Helmand suffers heavy fighting and is the single-largest producer of opium.

“Last night we conducted strikes in northern Helmand to hit the Taliban where it hurts, in their narcotics financing,” he said.  

The commander added that the attacks were part of U.S. new policy towards Afghanistan as the country boosts its troop numbers.

Afghan Chief of Army Staff, Mohammad Sharif Yaftali said that the government will continue to conduct operations against the Taliban and other militant groups in winter season. 

“In the winter season, the focus will be on elimination of the Taliban’s leadership and their equipment and income sources,” he said. 

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Kabir urges Panjshiris to encourage their sons in exile to return home

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(Last Updated On: May 9, 2024)

Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy prime minister, urged Panjshir residents to encourage their sons living in neighboring countries to return home as the Islamic Emirate has no enmity with anyone.

At a gathering in Panjshir, attended by senior IEA officials, Kabir said that there is currently no space for ethnic and linguistic discrimination as well as hypocrisy in Afghanistan.

He stressed that all Afghans should work together for the construction, development and prosperity of the country.

According to him, IEA’s political and commercial relations with the world are secure and the government is committed to the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan and is doing its best to gain self-sufficiency.

At this gathering, the IEA’s minister of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, said that illegal acts in the country have reached zero and that Daesh does not exist in the country. He also said the people of Panjshir will not be deceived by biased people.

“Currently, there is no corruptor and there is no Daesh fighter in Afghanistan, and no one can provide proof [of their existence]. We are one nation. Our religion and beliefs are one,” said Hanafi.

Some residents of Panjshir also said that they support the Islamic Emirate and will share their challenges with the authorities.

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Minister of Mines and Petroleum visits Mes Aynak copper mine

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(Last Updated On: May 9, 2024)

Shahabuddin Delawar, Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum, visited the Mes Aynak copper mine area on Wednesday during a trip to Logar province.

According to the ministry, Delawar was accompanied by Khairullah Khairkhaw, Acting Minister of Information and Culture; Zhao Xing, Chinese Ambassador to Kabul; Ziaul Rahman Madani, Governor of Logar; and the deputy minister of energy and water.

The ministry said Delawar and his accompanying delegation visited various areas of Mes Aynak copper mine and Mes Aynak archaeological sites to evaluate progress of work being done on the mine.

Officials of MCC, the company with the contract to mine the copper, also provided an update on work being carried out including an update on the road that will soon be built.

“Most of the problems of the project have been solved and we are ready to start the practical work of the project, and with the practical start of the [Mes] Aynak copper mine project, there will be no damage to the ancient monuments in the area.”

The Acting Minister of Information and Culture also discussed the need to preserve and protect relics at the archeological site and assured the delegation of the ministry’s cooperation.

The deputy minister of energy and water also assured all present of a consistent supply of electricity and water for the mine.

Mes Aynak is the location of Afghanistan’s largest copper deposit, however it also contains artifacts recovered from the Bronze Age, and some of the artifacts recovered have dated back over 3000 years.

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The first flight of Afghan pilgrims leaves for Saudi Arabia

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(Last Updated On: May 9, 2024)

The Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs says that the process of transferring Hajj pilgrims from Afghanistan to Saudi Arabia has started.

According to the ministry, about 230 Hajj pilgrims left on Wednesday, May 8, on the first flight to Medina.

The acting minister Noor Mohammad Saqib, said at a departure ceremony for the Afghan pilgrims that this year, in order to provide better services to Hajj pilgrims, the employees of the working committees have been sent to Saudi Arabia earlier than in previous years.

At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Abdul Salam Hanafi, said to the pilgrims during the ceremony: “Dear pilgrims, you are the representatives of the Afghan people in Saudi Arabia, so do this representation well.”

Hanafi added that with the efforts of the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs, as in previous years, all Hajj activities this year have been prepared in an orderly manner.

Earlier, the acting minister announced that this year’s quota for Afghan pilgrims will be 30,000.

Ariana Afghan Airlines and Kam Air are the official carriers of pilgrims this year.

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