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Taliban cry foul after US carries out airstrikes in battle-weary Kandahar
The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces carried out operations against Taliban insurgents in a number of districts in Kandahar province on Tuesday night, leaving at least 30 militants dead, security sources have confirmed.
According to the Afghan Ministry of Interior, “30 Taliban terrorists were killed in Jiri district of Kandahar province and in the Timur area on the outskirts of Kandahar city.”
The MoI stated that security and defense forces launched an operation on Tuesday to repel insurgent attacks in Jiri district.
“As a result, 12 Taliban terrorists were killed and six motorcycles belonging to terrorists were destroyed.
“Also last night, 18 Taliban terrorists were killed in another counterattack by these forces in the Timur area of central Kandahar,” MoI stated.
US Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A) meanwhile stated it had conducted airstrikes in Kandahar over the past two days and that these were done within the parameters of their agreement with the Taliban. .
The US military stated in a tweet that “USFOR-A conducted airstrikes within the last 48 hrs targeting Taliban fighters actively attacking and maneuvering on ANDSF positions in Zharay, Spin Boldak and Kandahar Districts, Kandahar.
“Taliban claims otherwise are false. The US continues to defend ANDSF in accordance with the US-Taliban agreement,” read their tweets.
This was in reference to the Taliban’s claims that the US airstrikes in Kandahar was a “clear violation of the Doha agreement,” which was signed in February last year between the US and Taliban.
However, the agreement states the US is still able to come to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces’ defense if needed.
The Taliban disagreed and on Wednesday stated that if the US forces continue to violate the agreement, the group will also take action against them.
The Taliban will take the same actions and then the consequences will be on the soldiers of US forces, said Mohammad Naeem, a Taliban spokesman, in a statement.
The Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan has announced scholarship opportunities for Afghan students under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program for the 2027 academic year.
According to the embassy, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan is offering scholarships for graduate-level study at Japanese universities under the research student category, including both regular and non-regular students.
Interested and eligible applicants can download the application guidelines and forms from the official Study in Japan website and are advised to carefully review all requirements before applying.
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and have prepared all required documents must submit their applications by 25 May 2026. The embassy said late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
The first screening process will include a written examination in Kabul on 18 June 2026, followed by interviews scheduled for July 2026 (date to be confirmed).
The Embassy of Japan noted that the Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan will assist in collecting applications and facilitating written examinations, but will not be involved in the selection process.
It further emphasized that the selection will be conducted independently by the embassy and the Japanese government, based on academic merit, quality of application documents, and performance in written and interview examinations, without consideration of religious, linguistic, or ethnic background.
The scholarship program is fully funded and free of charge. The embassy warned applicants to remain cautious against scams, stressing that no financial contributions are required at any stage of the application process.
Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, has launched the distribution of more than 1,000 residential land plots for returning migrants in Logar province.
During a visit to Logar, Hanafi inaugurated a new township and said the initiative aims to support Afghan returnees by providing them with housing opportunities and improving settlement conditions.
He called for speeding up the process of distributing residential plots designated for migrants, stressing the importance of timely implementation.
“We inaugurated this township today, which includes more than 1,000 plots. These plots will be distributed to migrants. In addition, other townships will also be constructed soon,” he said.
Hanafi also noted that over the past three years, more than five million Afghan migrants have returned from neighboring countries, adding that efforts are underway to provide them with essential services and support their reintegration.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, has urged the Afghan authorities to take concrete action against militant threats that Islamabad says originate from Afghan soil.
Speaking at an event at the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul marking the first anniversary of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos against India, Nizamani reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining “brotherly ties” with Afghanistan.
The ambassador also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in reducing tensions between Iran and the United States, saying Islamabad’s initiatives reflected its commitment to regional and global peace.
During the ceremony, Nizamani reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to defend itself against any aggression.
“Pakistan’s desire for peace must never be mistaken for weakness,” the ambassador said, calling for heightened vigilance against regional threats.
Pakistani officials have consistently claimed that militants use Afghan soil to attack Pakistan. The Islamic Emirate, however, has denied this claim and said that Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan’s security failures.
Japan announces MEXT scholarships for Afghan students for 2027 academic year
New township to provide over 1,000 land plots for returnees in Logar
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Pakistan ambassador urges Afghan authorities to act against militant threats
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Afghanistan’s new cricket head coach Richard Pybus arrives in Kabul
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Germany to launch online visa system for Afghan study and work applicants in Pakistan
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