Latest News
British Defence Minister says UK will work with Taliban should they come to power – Telegraph
Britain will work with the Taliban should they enter the government in Afghanistan, British Defence Minister Ben Wallace told the Daily Telegraph in an interview published on Tuesday.
“Whatever the government of the day is, provided it adheres to certain international norms, the UK government will engage with it,” he was quoted as saying in the newspaper https://bit.ly/3r4LR6U.
However, Wallace warned that Britain will review any relationship “if they behave in a way that is seriously against human rights”.
The Taliban, who ruled Afghanistan with an iron fist from 1996 to 2001, have been fighting for 20 years to topple the Western-backed government in Kabul.
Emboldened by the departure of foreign forces by a September target, the Sunni Muslim insurgent group is making a fresh push to surround cities and gain territory.
In his interview with the newspaper, Wallace recognised that the prospect of the UK working with the Taliban would be controversial.
“What (the Taliban) desperately want is international recognition. They need to unlock financing and support (for) nation building, and you don’t do that with a terrorist balaclava on,” he said.
“You have to be a partner for peace otherwise you risk isolation. Isolation led them to where they were last time”, he added.
Wallace appealed for the Taliban and Afghanistan’s president, Ashraf Ghani, to work together to bring stability to the country after decades of conflict.
Senior Afghan leaders will fly to Doha for talks with the Taliban this week, as the insurgent group takes a hard stance on negotiations, even warning Turkey against plans to keep some troops in Afghanistan to run and guard Kabul’s main airport.
Taliban officials said last week the group had taken control of 85% of territory in Afghanistan.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has announced that it will continue providing its essential health services to the people of Afghanistan.
In a post on X, the organization, referring to Afghanistan’s health needs, said that over the past year it has been active in various health sectors across the country, ranging from maternal and child care to emergency response, as well as the treatment of patients suffering from tuberculosis and severe injuries.
According to MSF, its teams over the past year have been present at a range of health facilities, including neonatal intensive care units, operating theatres, surgical centers, and specialized tuberculosis treatment wards, where they have delivered life-saving services to patients.
The organization stressed that it will continue ensuring the provision of health services, particularly for needy families and vulnerable communities in remote areas of Afghanistan.
The Embassy of Afghanistan in Japan, currently run by diplomats of the previous government, has announced that it will suspend its operations in Tokyo after the end of January 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday, the embassy said the decision was made after consultations with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in close coordination with Japanese authorities, and in accordance with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
The embassy added that after January 31, all of its political, economic, cultural, and consular activities will be halted until further notice.
Currently, Shaida Abdali is serving as Afghanistan’s ambassador to Japan.
Sadin Ayyıldız, Chargé d’Affaires of the Turkish Embassy in Kabul, held a courtesy meeting with Zakir Jalali, the Second Political Deputy of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the start of his mission.
The Turkish Embassy in Kabul said in a post that the meeting included mutual exchanges of views on bilateral relations.
Russia almost doubles LPG exports to Central Asia, Afghanistan this year
MSF says it continues providing health services to Afghans
UAE President arrives in Pakistan on first official visit
Afghanistan’s Embassy in Tokyo to suspend operations
Turkish Chargé d’Affaires in Kabul meets Zakir Jalali, discusses bilateral ties
Afghanistan exports 10 containers of batteries to Saudi Arabia and UAE for first time
Pakistani cleric condemns lifetime immunity for Army Chief as un-Islamic
Gaza death toll tops 70,000, health ministry says
Islamic Emirate declines to attend Tehran meeting on Afghanistan
Afghanistan signs 30-year deal for marble mining in Daikundi
Saar: Discussion on critiquing Trump’s immigration policy
Tahawol: Scholars slam Pakistan’s attacks on Afghanistan
Saar: Discussion over the fate of Ukraine’s war
Tahawol: Return of 6.8 million Afghan refugees to IEA rule
Saar: Pakistan army chief’s allegations against Afghanistan
-
Latest News3 days agoAfghanistan exports 10 containers of batteries to Saudi Arabia and UAE for first time
-
Latest News3 days agoPakistani cleric condemns lifetime immunity for Army Chief as un-Islamic
-
Latest News2 days agoOmari and Iranian ambassador meet to strengthen Afghan migrant labor ties
-
Latest News2 days agoPakistan’s actions target militants, not religious sites: Khawaja Asif
-
International Sports3 days agoAriana News to broadcast key AFC Champions League Two clash
-
Regional3 days agoPakistan agrees to $4 billion arms deal with Libyan National Army
-
Health3 days agoAfghan Health Minister hails India visit as new chapter in bilateral ties
-
Business1 day agoSharp drop in exports to Afghanistan drives Pakistan’s trade deficit surge