Latest News
NUG takes all possible measures to ensure safe return of hostages in Zabul
The issue of rescuing the 31 abducted passengers in Zabul will be shared with the families of the abductees and a number of civil activists in National Security Council meeting, President’s spokesman said.
However, President’s spokesman says nothing about government’s efforts on rescuing the 31 abducted passengers but stressed that the National Unity Government (NUG) takes serious measures to release them.
Ajmal Obaid Abedi, Spokesman of president said, “The government hardly tries to rescue them, but we do not share the details because they are secret and we do not want the enemy to be aware of details.”
In late February, a group of unidentified armed men stopped two buses and abducted 31 passengers in the southern Zabul province and the government is yet to secure their release.
Nearly two months passed since since, 31 passengers were kidnapped on the Kabul – Kandahar highway and their fate remains uncertain.
Few days ago, In a desperate attempt to get the government’s attention to their plight, mothers of the kidnapped passengers set up tents in Zarnigar park demanding justice. The plight of the relatives of the kidnapped is further worsened by the fact that they have received little or no updates about the issue from the concerned government agencies and authorities.
The prominent case of the abduction of 31 Hazaras – mostly shopkeepers, day laborers and passengers visiting family – from Zabul province in late February is of particular ongoing concern.
Although, Abdullah Abdullah, the CEO of the National Unity government, today, has given a statement saying that securing the release of the 31 kidnapped passengers is their top priority. They are looking at all possible measures to ensure their safe return. But the Afghan government has not only failed to secure their release, it has also adopted an attitude of silence and secrecy about the kidnapping, the identity of the captors and their demands.
Afghanistan is one of the most challenging places for the humanitarian community, with death, kidnappings and attacks against humanitarians all too frequent.
Reported by Ahmad Farshad Saleh
Latest News
Afghanistan, Russia sign military cooperation agreement
The deal is expected to strengthen defense and security cooperation between the two countries.
Afghanistan and Russia signed a military-technical cooperation agreement during the International Security Forum held this week in the Moscow region, marking another step in the expanding relationship between Kabul and Moscow.
The agreement was signed on May 27 on the sidelines of the forum, according to Russian media reports. While officials have not publicly disclosed the details of the document, the deal is expected to strengthen defense and security cooperation between the two countries.
The signing comes amid growing diplomatic engagement between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) and Russia. Afghan Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob recently told Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu that bilateral cooperation between Kabul and Moscow had significantly expanded in recent months.
Earlier this month in Bishkek, Shoigu said Russia had established direct dialogue with the Islamic Emirate and was working toward what he described as a “full-fledged partnership” with Afghanistan’s current authorities. He also urged regional countries to broaden engagement with Kabul.
Relations between Afghanistan and Russia have steadily improved since the IEA returned to power in 2021. In April 2025, Russia’s Supreme Court suspended the longstanding ban on the Islamic Emirate’s activities in Russia, paving the way for deeper political, economic and security cooperation.
Moscow has increasingly positioned Afghanistan as an important regional partner as Russia seeks to strengthen its influence in Central and South Asia following major geopolitical shifts in the region.
The agreement was signed as Russia continues to expand its broader military posture. Russian lawmakers recently granted President Vladimir Putin greater authority to deploy troops abroad in cases involving the detention of Russian citizens overseas.
The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War has also reported that Russia is expanding its nuclear capabilities at what it described as the fastest pace since the Cold War.
Mohammad Hassan Akhund, in his Eid message, has emphasized stronger support and assistance for returnees and victims of recent floods and earthquakes, saying the Islamic Emirate has worked to help affected families within its available capacity.
He said many of the challenges facing the Muslim world stem from division and self-interest, stressing that unity, cooperation, and solidarity must be strengthened at both individual and societal levels.
The prime minister noted that in recent months millions of migrants have returned to Afghanistan from neighboring countries, while others have been displaced due to natural disasters. He said the authorities have tried to provide assistance to these families to the extent possible.
Mohammad Hassan Akhund also instructed officials to visit families of martyrs, orphans, and people with disabilities during Eid and to listen to public concerns. He further directed security and defense forces to ensure heightened vigilance during the holiday period in order to maintain safety and allow citizens to celebrate Eid in peace.
Eid prayers were also held at the Sapidar Palace in Kabul with the participation of diplomatic representatives and senior officials, while across the country citizens gathered in mosques and open spaces to mark the occasion peacefully.
Residents in various provinces described Eid as a time of reconciliation and unity. A resident of Herat, Hamed, said Eid should be an opportunity to set aside grievances and strengthen bonds of friendship. Another resident, Sultan Ahmad Saber, said Eid is meant to remove divisions, embrace one another, and preserve purity of heart by forgetting past disputes.
In a separate message, former president Hamid Karzai called for the reopening of schools and universities for girls and the creation of job opportunities for women, stressing that Afghanistan’s progress depends on unity, education, and a shared sense of responsibility toward the country.
Turkmenistan and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) have discussed regional cooperation and major infrastructure projects aimed at supporting Afghanistan’s economic recovery, according to the Turkmen government.
The discussions took place during a meeting between Pavel Yershov, the newly appointed head of UNAMA’s office in Herat, and Batyr Yyolov, Turkmenistan’s consul general in Herat, Trend news agency reported.
Both sides emphasized Turkmenistan’s role in promoting stability and economic growth in Afghanistan through regional energy and transport projects, including the TAPI gas pipeline and electricity transmission initiatives.
The meeting also focused on ongoing railway development and modernization projects aimed at improving connectivity and trade links between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.
Afghanistan, Russia sign military cooperation agreement
Iran and US trade air strikes after Trump dismisses report of Hormuz deal
Saar: IEA seeking Sharia-based global engagement
Prime Minister stresses support for returnees and disaster victims in Eid message
Turkmenistan, UNAMA review regional projects to boost Afghanistan’s economy
New Afghanistan-China transport corridor launched via Turkmenistan
Afghanistan signs $46 million deal to develop standard laboratory complexes
Germany to launch online visa system for Afghan study and work applicants in Pakistan
Afghanistan launches first 5G trial in Kabul to boost telecom services
Large blast near Beit Shemesh part of pre-planned test: Israeli defense firm
Saar: IEA seeking Sharia-based global engagement
Tahawol: Islamic Emirate defense minister’s visit to Russia
Saar: Calls to expand Afghanistan-Qatar ties discussed
Tahawol: Afghanistan-Japan relations reviewed
Saar: Afghanistan’s relations with regional countries, incl Russia and China discussed
-
Business4 days agoMajor pharma firms eye investment in Afghanistan
-
Latest News5 days agoChina restricts export of chemical substances to Afghanistan
-
Latest News4 days agoDeadly shooting near Kabul’s Sarai Shahzada leaves four dead
-
Sport3 days agoIPL 2026 Playoffs Confirmed: RCB, GT, SRH and RR reach top four
-
Regional4 days agoAt least 24 killed in deadly train bombing in Pakistan’s Balochistan
-
Latest News4 days agoIEA Supreme Leader urges unity, preservation of Islamic system in Eid al-Adha message
-
Sport23 hours agoAfghanistan announce squad for India series
-
Latest News3 days agoMoscow expects UNAMA mission in Afghanistan to continue under certain conditions: Kabulov