Despite talks to see if a nuclear deal can be struck, Washington is amassing military forces in the region.
Iranian officials have warned that Tehran would retaliate by targeting U.S. military bases in the region.
President Ashraf Ghani warned Taliban that with continuation of war they should not expect gifts from Afghan government but they will face strong defeat from Afghan forces.
Afghan president is said to consider Taliban’s war aim giving privilege, emphasizing Afghan security forces will gain victory in the current war and no one should think of the collapse of the current system of parts of the country.
More than a decade of war and billions in funds to build up an Afghan military force have now Afghan government claims of Taliban insurgency defeat in the season.
Following the end of the U.S. military’s combat mission last year, the Taliban insurgents have overrun dozens of checkpoints throughout the country and threatened entire districts.
The army has rushed forces to take back terrain, but it doesn’t have enough troops to defend every place under assault.
The drawdown of U.S. forces has left the Afghan military largely without U.S. airstrikes for protection and helicopters for quick medical evacuation off the battlefield, vital support in the past.
The result: Afghan casualties have jumped 70% in the first 15 weeks of this year to record levels: 4,950 police and soldiers killed or wounded, up from 2,900 during the same period last year, according to the U.S.-led coalition command.
Beside President Ghani, representatives of 50 countries and international organizations are also raise concerns of increasing terrorism threats in the region and the world.
“Daesh (Islamic State) is already sending advance guards to southern and western Afghanistan to test for vulnerabilities,” Ghani said.
He said Afghanistan, whose Taliban government sheltered al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, would never again host terrorists. He urged all Muslims to speak out against extremism.
“In fact, we want a bilateral peace, peace between Afghanistan-Pakistan and peace with oppositions. Pakistan also admired that a war situation announced between the two countries in the past,” Ghani added.
“The problem, fundamentally, is not about peace with the Taliban [but] about peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” noting that Pakistani officials have “accepted this definition of the problem. That’s the breakthrough.”
Fighting between Afghan forces and militants has intensified since the Taliban launched its annual spring offensive against Afghan forces and foreign embassies on April 24.
Afghanistan faces a security challenge years after the United States and its allies invaded the country in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed Taliban from power, but many areas in the country are still witnessing violence, which threatens stability.
Ghani also warned that a “new ecology of terrorism” poses a threat to South and Central Asia as well as China.
In the meantime, President Ghani also announced Masoom Istanikzai, chairman of the High Peace Council Secretariat as the defense minister nominee.
“I announce Mr. Istanikzai as our future defense minister and I hope success for him,” Ghani announced.
Looking ahead to a scenario in which Afghanistan achieves peace with the Taliban, Ghani said the Afghan government would then have to cope with the problem of refugees created by years of conflict. Many Afghan refugees live in camps across the border in Pakistan.
Reported by Fawad Naseri
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), said that in the event of a possible conflict between Iran and the United States, Iran would have the capacity to emerge victorious.
Speaking in an interview with Iran Radio, he emphasized that the Islamic Emirate does not support war, but believes that “the Islamic Republic of Iran was ultimately successful the last time it faced an attack, and this time as well due to its capabilities and its legitimate right to self-defense” it would have the upper hand.
Mujahid added that, if formally requested, Afghans are prepared “to the extent of their ability” to cooperate with the Iranian people in addressing the potential consequences of such a conflict.
Despite talks to see if a nuclear deal can be struck, Washington is amassing military forces in the region.
Iranian officials have warned that Tehran would retaliate by targeting U.S. military bases in the region.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, says the recent attack on a mosque in Islamabad was the consequence of Pakistan’s longstanding policy of “nurturing Daesh.”
The attack, carried out over a week ago, killed 31 people and injured 170 others.
In an interview with Iran Radio, Mujahid stated: “Daesh is an enemy like a snake; if you raise it in your sleeve, it will eventually bite you.”
He argued that Pakistan’s instrumental use of Daesh for “covert and intelligence-driven objectives” harms not only the people of Pakistan but also has negative repercussions for the people of Afghanistan.
Mujahid once again rejected allegations that the Islamic Emirate supports Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He emphasized that no unauthorized armed individual is allowed to operate inside Afghanistan. According to him, the Islamic Emirate had expressed readiness to facilitate the return of “Waziristani migrants,” but Pakistan declined the offer. Instead, at Pakistan’s request, these families were relocated from areas near the Durand Line to other parts of Afghanistan.
Mujahid added that crossing closures have harmed traders in both countries, though he claimed Pakistan has suffered more. He said the crossings will not be reopened unless Pakistan provides a “guarantee” that it will not repeatedly close them due to political considerations.
The minister also called on Afghan business leaders to support the poor and displaced during the upcoming month of Ramazan, urging them to allocate their Zakat to vulnerable citizens.
Afghanistan’s Defense Minister, Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid, emphasized the importance of leaving past conflicts behind and setting aside divisions in order to prevent future internal strife.
Speaking on Sunday at a ceremony commemorating the 37th anniversary of the defeat and withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan, Mujahid warned that a desire for revenge could threaten the stability of the current system.
He stated, “Those who seek power today are no longer even remembered in graves. If you think of the future, think for the people and the nation, and leave a legacy that future generations can be proud of, like our past heroes.”
He underscored that true merit is not determined by language, ethnicity, or position, but by piety and integrity.
The minister also called on Afghan business leaders to support the poor and displaced during the upcoming month of Ramazan, urging them to allocate their Zakat to vulnerable citizens.
“My special message to businessmen is: do not forget your people, and always help them,” Mujahid said.
Highlighting the importance of public cooperation in security, Mujahid added, “Afghanistan today enjoys exceptional security. Citizens must work with security forces to maintain stability. Some countries do not want Afghanistan to be secure; they see their own security in our instability and wish to prosper at the expense of our nation.”
Addressing neighboring countries and the international community, Mujahid affirmed, “Afghanistan is an independent country. We assure all countries that Afghanistan has no threat or bad intentions for you and we will not allow our soil to be used against neighboring countries and we have been able to contain threats against other countries and in this regard, we have full ability and do not need anyone’s help and cooperation.
“We have one request from countries not to create problems for us and not to make excuses, we are ready for any kind of dialogue, but based on mutual respect and national interests, we are ready to negotiate and we will not accept anyone’s orders in this regard, and if someone makes excuses, our message is clear: this approach benefits neither you nor the Afghan people.”
He further stated that even countries that previously invaded or occupied Afghanistan are invited to build relations, but always based on mutual interest and respect. He called for the establishment of a “fresh page” for positive and constructive relations.
Meanwhile, Abdul Salam Hanafi, Administrative Deputy of the Prime Minister’s Office, said that the Afghan nation has never accepted foreign occupation. He said this day in Afghanistan’s history was unforgettable and a source of national pride.
He added that under the Islamic Emirate, drug trafficking and cultivation have been banned, families of martyrs receive designated support, and all orphans are cared for without discrimination, with approximately 13–14 billion Afghanis allocated for their welfare.
Hanafi also emphasized that drug addiction among youth was fueled by foreign powers, while its treatment is now managed by the Islamic Emirate.
Hanafi concluded by urging civil servants to treat the Afghan people with compassion, remain humble in office, and utilize all available resources to preserve the Islamic system.
Separately, Noor Muhammad Saqib, Minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs, highlighted the need for constant preparedness against threats, stating that Afghans should not rely solely on past victories over powerful nations but remain vigilant against any potential dangers in the future.
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