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German Minister Supports Long-Term Commitment in Afghanistan
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said the withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan in recent years had been too rapid and called for a longer-term commitment.
Von der Leyen criticized the rapid reduction in forces since the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) ended its mission in Afghanistan in 2014 but said the international community had now learned it needed to be more patient, the Reuters reported.
“I haven’t forgotten how it was at the beginning when we got out of ISAF too quickly with too big reduction in troop numbers,” she said.
She said everyone knew the security situation in Afghanistan remained tense.
She added that Afghans continued to need support, advice and training from foreign soldiers. “There’s still a lot to do but I’m convinced that we’re going in the right direction with our mission there,” the German minister said.
“We’ll need to have a lot of stamina – Afghanistan will occupy us for a long time yet,” she said.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new open-ended policy toward Afghanistan in August, authorizing an increase in U.S. troop numbers to advise and train Afghan security forces and conduct counter-terrorism operations, with the aim of reversing territorial gains by Taliban insurgents and compelling them to agree to peace talks.
At the peak of the ISAF mission around 150,000 foreign soldiers were deployed in Hindu Kush compared with around 17,000 now – of which 10,000 are Americans.
U.S. officials are pressing Germany to send more troops to Afghanistan as part of the increased international presence but say they do not expect any decisions until after the formation of a new German government.
The German parliament voted last week to extend by three months Germany’s military support for the Afghanistan mission to allow a new government to consider a longer-term extension.
Kabul police has announced that Allah Gul Mujahid, a member of parliament in the previous government, has been arrested in connection with a murder.
Khalid Zadran, the spokesman of Kabul police, said on X that Mujahid is a suspect in the murder of an individual named Saeedullah who was killed almost three months ago.
He added that the investigation of the case requires that Mujahid’s freedom be limited and it was decided that he remain detained until the court’s verdict.
Pakistan, Iran, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have expressed with Afghanistan after flash floods killed more than 300 people and destroyed hundreds of homes in northern Baghlan province.
“The Government and the people of Pakistan express their heartfelt condolences on the tragic loss of life and widespread damage to property caused by heavy rains and flash floods in several provinces of Afghanistan,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement. “Pakistan stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan during this difficult time.”
Qatar’s foreign ministry said: “The State of Qatar expresses its full solidarity with Afghanistan in face of the destruction caused by massive floods hitting the Baghlan province north of the country, which resulted in deaths and injuries.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses the State of Qatar’s firm support to Afghanistan and its brotherly people, and voiced its complete readiness to cooperate with the relevant authorities in Afghanistan to provide all means to help overcome crises,” it added.
UAE’s Foreign Ministry also expressed “its sincere condolences and sympathy with the friendly people of Afghanistan, and to the families of the victims, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expresses his solidarity with the people of Afghanistan.
“The United Nations and its partners in Afghanistan are coordinating with the de facto authorities to swiftly assess needs and provide emergency assistance,” he said.
The Japanese ambassador in Kabul, Takayoshi Kuromiya, met Saturday with Sader Azam Osmani, the Deputy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, the meeting discussed Japan’s cooperation in these areas.
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