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Attack against Afghan journalist are cowardly: US National Security Council

Published

5 years ago

January 1, 2021

United States of America National Security Council (USNSC) on Thursday condemned recent targeted attacks on Afghan journalists in Afghanistan and called it attacks disgraceful.

The council also said they stand with Afghan journalists.

“We stand with brave Afghan journalists. Targeted attacks against them are disgraceful and cowardly.” USNSC tweeted.

“All who care about Afghanistan and its people should strongly condemn these senseless acts,” USNSC added.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai the head of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s negotiating team says that in the next round of peace talks with the Taliban, saving the lives of journalists is one of their priorities.

“This is our first discussion, and we are really worried because those who raise the voices of the people,” Stanekzai added.

Former TOLOnews presenter Yama Siawash, Radio Azadi reporter Elyas Daee, Enekaas TV’s presenter in Nangarhar Malala Maiwand, and Ariana News presenter Fardin Amini all have been killed in different incidents since November 7.

This comes after on Wednesday ambassadors and diplomats of the United States, Canada and European Union nations met with representatives of the Afghan media to discuss the current safety and security threats the sector faces.

The group of foreign diplomats emphasized the importance of preserving press freedom and protecting media workers.

Among the diplomats present were the Charge d’ Affairs of the US to Kabul, and the ambassadors of Canada, UK, France, Sweden, Denmark, and the European Union to Afghanistan’s ambassador.

The aim of the meeting was to discuss security strategies to help journalists “who are at risk right now.”

Following the meeting, US Chargé d’Affaires Ross Wilson stated in a series of tweets: “In light of the recent targeted attacks in Helmand, Ghazni, Jalalabad and Kabul that have silenced respected voices in the Afghan media, I met today with representatives of Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC), NAI, Ariana News, Tolo News, and the Killid Group as well as Kabul’s diplomatic corps.”

Wilson added that the US and partner missions wanted to hear directly from Afghanistan’s “extraordinary press and NGO leaders” about the threats their colleagues are facing.

“But more than this, we wanted to discuss strategies for security and for assisting reporters who are at risk right now,” he noted.

“I have said it before: we must preserve Press Freedom in Afghanistan as one of the most important gains of the past 19 years,” Wilson said.

“Media workers here demonstrate remarkable courage in ensuring transparency and accountability. We hear you and we support you,” the US diplomat pointed out.

The Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC) said it was extremely concerned about the number of targeted killings of Afghan journalists in recent months.

Related Topics:Assassinations featured Journalists Reporters Taliban target killings US National Security Council

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Baradar urges scholars to promote protection of Islamic system and national interests

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2 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Ariana News

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, has called on religious scholars to play a stronger role in promoting the protection of the Islamic system and Afghanistan’s national interests among the public.

Speaking at a turban-tying ceremony at Jamia Fath al-Uloom in Kabul on Wednesday, Baradar urged scholars to adopt a softer tone in their sermons and public addresses.

He said that alongside teaching religious obligations, scholars should help foster a sense of responsibility toward safeguarding the Islamic system and national unity.

Baradar described madrasas as the sacred foundations of religious learning, moral education, spiritual and intellectual development, and Islamic movements within Muslim societies.

He noted that in Afghanistan, religious teachings and the concept of sacred jihad originated in madrasas, spread from villages to cities, and eventually translated into action and resistance.

He also emphasized the role of madrasas in the intellectual reform of society, the removal of what he described as un-Islamic cultural influences, and the preservation of Islamic traditions.

Baradar stressed that religious schools must remain committed to their original mission and values under all circumstances.

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Iran’s Bahrami invites Afghan FM Muttaqi to Tehran during Kabul meeting

Published

2 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Ariana News

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday that Mohammad Reza Bahrami, Director General for South Asia at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has invited the Islamic Emirate’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, to visit Tehran.

According to the ministry, the invitation was extended during Bahrami’s official visit to Kabul, where he met with Muttaqi.

During the meeting, Bahrami briefed the Afghan foreign minister on the outcomes of a recent meeting of special representatives held in Tehran and underscored Iran’s strong interest in strengthening relations with Afghanistan.

Bahrami also expressed hope that the Islamic Emirate would play an active role in promoting regional cooperation.

In response, Muttaqi described Afghanistan–Iran relations as positive and outlined the Islamic Emirate’s position on the Tehran meeting. He said Afghanistan has emerged from a difficult period and is moving toward stability and progress, adding that the country should no longer be viewed solely as a regional challenge.

Muttaqi further emphasized that Afghanistan’s foreign policy is based on its fundamental principles and supports constructive and cooperative engagement with neighboring and regional countries.

Both sides noted that bilateral relations are developing positively and stressed the importance of maintaining regular contacts, exchanging delegations, and strengthening cooperation at various levels.

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Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan discuss expanding trade and economic cooperation

Azizi welcomed the Kyrgyz delegation and thanked them for visiting Kabul, underscoring the importance of closer economic engagement between the two countries.

Published

5 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Ariana News

Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan held high-level talks in Kabul aimed at strengthening bilateral economic and trade relations, officials said.

The meeting brought together Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and Bakyt Sadykov, Minister of Economy and Trade of the Kyrgyz Republic, who is leading a visiting delegation to the Afghan capital.

Azizi welcomed the Kyrgyz delegation and thanked them for visiting Kabul, underscoring the importance of closer economic engagement between the two countries.

During the talks, both sides discussed ways to boost bilateral trade by making better use of existing capacities and identifying priority export commodities.

The discussions also focused on developing transit routes, signing transit agreements, attracting joint domestic and foreign investment, and expanding cooperation through trade exhibitions, business conferences and regular meetings.

The two ministers stressed the need to implement earlier agreements, particularly the economic and trade cooperation roadmap signed during a previous visit by an Afghan delegation to Kyrgyzstan.

They said effective follow-up on these commitments would be key to translating discussions into tangible results.

Officials from both countries said the meeting was intended to deepen economic, trade and investment ties, while opening new avenues for partnership between Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan in the coming period.