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Ashton Carter, U.S. Defense Chief, Makes Unannounced Visit to Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter arrived in Afghanistan on Friday for his last planned trip to the country as America’s defense chief and as a 15-year war continues to rage.
Mr. Carter, accompanied by his wife, Stephanie, was to speak to American troops as well as meet with Afghan leaders during his visit, which was unannounced, Peter Cook, a Pentagon spokesman, said on Twitter.
About 9,800 American troops are in Afghanistan. Their roles include a counterterrorism mission against Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, and the training and advising of Afghan troops as part of a larger NATO mission.
Mr. Carter will meet with American troops at Bagram Air Base, the site of a suicide attack last month that killed two American service members and two American contractors. A third soldier died on Tuesday of wounds from that attack.
As the Taliban have pushed the limits of Afghan forces over the past two years, overrunning districts and threatening crucial provincial centers, American advisers have found themselves drawn back to the front lines, with the division between combat and advice increasingly blurred.
Afghan and Western officials fear that the vast ungoverned space in Afghanistan could once again turn into a terrorist haven. Gen. Joseph L. Votel, the chief of the United States Central Command, recently said that the Afghan government controlled about 60 percent of the country and the Taliban about 10 percent, with the remainder contested. Which group or groups fill those voids of ungoverned territory “is something we’ll have to contend with,” he said.
Gen. John W. Nicholson, the commander of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan, has said that Afghanistan and Pakistan host the highest concentration of terrorist groups in the world, with about 20 of the 98 groups designated as such by the United Nations and United States operating in the region.
Those groups include remnants of Al Qaeda, which has small pockets of operatives in east and southeastern Afghanistan, and affiliates of the Islamic State, which have established a foothold in eastern Afghanistan and are trying to bring violence to urban centers through suicide attacks that largely target civilians.
President-elect Donald J. Trump has chosen Gen. James N. Mattis to succeed Mr. Carter as defense secretary.
Published by: www.nytimes.com
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Around 15,000 cases of vulnerable Afghan children addressed over past year
The Directorate of Child Protection at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs announced on Saturday that in the solar year 1404, through the implementation of extensive support programs and the handling of thousands of protective cases, it has achieved significant accomplishments in securing rights, raising awareness, and improving the situation of children across Afghanistan.
According to the directorate, the registered cases have been organized into 23 different categories, allowing for targeted and specialized handling of each type of case. In the area of awareness-raising, extensive programs have also been implemented to improve the general knowledge of children and their families, resulting in 404,207 children and family members being informed about child rights, explosive hazards, environmental protection, and other important topics.
To strengthen local structures and accelerate case management, the Directorate of Child Protection, within the framework of its 1404 work plan, established 20 new committees at the district level in provincial centers. These committees play a key role in coordinating between government offices, rapidly identifying cases, and providing support services. Currently, child protection committees are active in 204 districts and regularly review and resolve children’s issues.
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Severe rainfall and natural disasters cause heavy casualties across Afghanistan
At least 61 people have been confirmed dead, with 116 others injured. Four individuals remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations are underway.
The Spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, has confirmed widespread devastation across the country following a series of natural disasters and heavy rainfall. The toll continues to rise as authorities assess the damage.
At least 61 people have been confirmed dead, with 116 others injured. Four individuals remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations are underway. The disaster has also led to the destruction of 2,448 homes, leaving thousands displaced, while 26,841 acres of agricultural land have been severely damaged. In addition, the storm claimed the lives of 1,045 livestock animals, further exacerbating the already dire situation for rural communities.
In a statement, Mujahid emphasized the ongoing relief efforts. The Islamic Emirate is mobilizing all available resources to assist the hardest-hit regions and ensure the swift recovery of affected communities. The focus remains on providing immediate aid, including shelter, medical supplies, and food, while also beginning the long-term process of reconstruction and recovery.
Authorities have urged citizens in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant as more rain is forecast, adding to the urgency of the ongoing relief operations.
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Afghan citizens reported among casualties in US, Israeli attacks, Iran says
As of now, authorities of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have not issued an official response to the claims.
Iran’s Embassy in Kabul, citing Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, has stated that a number of Afghan citizens were killed or injured during what Tehran described as a 35-day military campaign carried out by the United States and Israel.
According to the statement, the Afghan nationals were living in Iran at the time of the attacks. Baghaei referred to them as “honored guests” of the country, adding that some lost their lives while others sustained injuries during the reported strikes.
He did not provide specific figures regarding the number of Afghan casualties or further details about the incidents.
As of now, authorities of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have not issued an official response to the claims.
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