Latest News
HALO Trust reports sharp drop in number of mines cleared globally last year
Scotland-based HALO Trust on Monday called for global recommitment to the Landmine Ban Treaty following a 10 percent drop in the number of anti-personnel mines cleared in 2023 against the previous year.
In a report issued this week, the organization said over 65 square kilometers of land in 26 provinces of Afghanistan are contaminated with improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
HALO Trust stated that Afghanistan was one of the top four countries most densely contaminated with IEDs.
According to the organization, 60 countries around the world struggle with landmines. HALO Trust operates in one third of these countries.
In Afghanistan, the organization works with over 2,200 demining employees.
The other three mostly densely contaminated countries are Cambodia, Iraq and Ukraine.
The sharp decrease in landmines cleared is testimony to the organization’s need for funding and for greater political commitment.
In addition, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining think tank recently reported that global funding to clear landmines fell by 18 percent in the decade to 2022 – a drop of $1.18 billion.
James Cowan, CEO of The HALO Trust said: “This report is a wake-up call for the world at a time of escalating conflict. There can be no recovery from war or sanctuary for the displaced until explosive weapons are cleared and destroyed.
“Until this work is done, thousands of civilians continue to live in fear,” he said.
“HALO is working in all the countries with massive contamination, including Ukraine. But we also work in other countries whose contamination is barely known, let alone addressed,” he added.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday that security risks in Central Asia and developments in Afghanistan are among the primary concerns for the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
The CSTO is a regional military alliance that includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
Speaking in Moscow during a meeting with CSTO Secretary-General Taalatbek Masadykov, Lavrov described the region’s security challenges as “central” to the organization’s agenda.
“The problems that are currently among the central ones for the CSTO are new challenges and threats. I am referring to the situation in the Central Asian region of collective security, as well as everything related to what is happening in Afghanistan,” he said.
He praised Masadykov as “one of the leading experts” on Central Asian security, noting that his experience could enhance coordination and increase the effectiveness of allied actions.
Similar to NATO, the CSTO considers an attack on one member state as an attack on all.
Countries in the region have always expressed concern about security threats from Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate, however, has dismissed these concerns and assured that it will not allow Afghanistan’s soil to be used against another country.
The Ministry of Higher Education of Afghanistan has announced that the leader of the Islamic Emirate has approved the establishment of a faculty dedicated to “Prophetic Medicine.”
According to the ministry, this new faculty will play a vital role in advancing medical sciences and training skilled healthcare professionals across the country.
Afghanistan’s Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs, Noorullah Noori, has announced that the long-delayed demarcation and renovation of border markers along the Afghanistan–Iran frontier will officially begin in the near future.
According to a statement from the ministry, Noori made the remarks during a meeting with Iran’s ambassador to Kabul, Ali-Reza Bikdeli.
He assured the Iranian side that the Islamic Emirate is fully committed to accelerating the process and resolving any challenges that may arise during implementation.
In a separate statement, the Iranian Embassy in Kabul said Bikdeli underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation on border issues, describing it as a key factor in strengthening and expanding overall relations between the two countries.
Officials from both sides agreed nearly three months ago to resume the border-marker renovation project, which had remained stalled for the past seven years.
Tahawol: Afghanistan’s bid to engage with SCO
Saar: Afghanistan and Iran’s expanding ties discussed
Central Asia and Afghanistan are key security concerns for CSTO: Lavrov
Afghanistan to establish first-ever faculty of ‘prophetic medicine’
Afghanistan crush Scotland in ICC T20 World Cup warm-up
Turkey withdraws from Afghanistan-Pakistan mediation amid rising tensions
ICG report says Pakistan most impacted by IEA’s return in Afghanistan
Pakistan approves re-export of stranded Afghan transit trade cargo
Afghanistan–China joint market opens in Kabul
Afghanistan set to face West Indies in crucial T20I series
Tahawol: Afghanistan’s bid to engage with SCO
Saar: Afghanistan and Iran’s expanding ties discussed
Tahawol: Tense regional situation over Iran discussed
Saar: Pakistan’s allegations of India backing Balochistan attacks
Tahawol: BLA’s coordinated attacks in Balochistan discussed
-
Sport5 days agoAfghanistan shine on Day Two of AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026
-
Sport4 days agoAfghanistan eye second straight win ahead of Malaysia clash at AFC Futsal Asian Cup
-
Sport2 days agoAFC Futsal Asian Cup: Afghanistan to face Iran in crucial Group D clash
-
Sport3 days agoAfghanistan dominates Malaysia 7–0 in AFC Futsal Asian Cup
-
Latest News5 days agoAustralia announces $50 million in new humanitarian aid for Afghanistan
-
Sport2 days agoT20 World Cup 2026: Afghanistan national cricket team arrives in India
-
Business3 days agoPakistan, China plan to extend CPEC to Afghanistan, revive trilateral framework
-
Health5 days agoPakistan becomes latest Asian country to introduce checks for deadly Nipah virus