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US exit from Bagram Air Base met with mixed reaction

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The US is one step closer to completing its troops withdrawal after vacating the sprawling Bagram Airfield base outside Kabul in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Local residents said the last plane carrying US forces flew out at 1am on Saturday adding that the base is now in the hands of the Afghan security forces.

Bagram, has in the past been called the “Guantanamo of Afghanistan” as it served as the main prison facility where US forces jailed alleged terrorists.

While the prison held as many as 3,000 prisoners at any given time in the past, today there is estimated to be between 400 and 500 prisoners, mostly members of the Taliban, in two blocks.

According to some sources, members of Daesh, al-Qaeda and Haqqani network are also imprisoned at Bagram, including some foreigners such as Arabs, Pakistanis, Tajiks and Chinese.

Sources also told Ariana News that soon after the last US plane flew out of the country, locals looted the facility, stealing thousands of dollars worth of equipment that had been left behind.

Angry residents accused the US of entering the country in a cowardly manner and leaving it the same way.

They said despite agreements to stand by the Afghans, they have left the country during a time of turmoil.

“They [Americans] have come cowardly to Afghanistan and cowardly left Afghanistan last night and fled,” said Basharmal, a resident.

“It was one o’clock in the night when their planes left, and after one o’clock everything was calm in the area,” said another.

The massive military base was the largest in the country and had two runways, three large hangars, an air traffic control tower and dozens of support buildings.

While some residents voiced their anger at the US for having withdrawn from the base, others have welcomed their exit.

“The Americans left at night and fled, but why? Because this country belongs to us and we will take care of it,” said Mohammad Hanif, an army soldier.

But government officials have also raised concern over the fate of the base, fearing it might fall into the hands of the Taliban.

“If the Taliban want to take Afghanistan by force, the people will not accept them,” said Dawolat Waziri, the former spokesman for the ministry of defense.

A few meters from the base lies the “American Bazaar” – a local market that sells a wide range of goods. Today, items looted from the base can be found at the bazaar – on sale.

“A number of people looted and sold some equipment,” said Amer Agha, a local resident.

The Wall Street Journal meanwhile reported Saturday that US officials have intensified planning for an emergency evacuation of the American embassy in Kabul amid concern that a worsening security situation could imperil the remaining military and diplomatic corps, as well as other Americans.

According to the WSJ, the preparations are taking place as part of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, which the Pentagon said Friday would take place by the end of August.

The plan to withdraw by the end of August represents a shift from earlier plans to remove all US forces by as soon as this month, the WSJ reported.

The report also stated that the expanded planning for an embassy evacuation, reflecting an increase in concern that a Taliban offensive could overwhelm US security and Afghan government forces guarding the US Embassy, has not been previously reported.

An evacuation could involve not only hundreds of personnel at the US Embassy but thousands of other Americans in the country, the WSJ stated.

Because of the more pressing concerns in Afghanistan, planners stepped up preparations, contemplating evacuation operations based on scenarios that are more specific, officials familiar with the planning told the WSJ.

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Israel issues urgent warning to Iranians to evacuate areas not military sites

The warning, delivered through diplomatic channels and public statements, comes amid fears of an expanded Israeli military campaign targeting strategic sites across Iran.

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In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Israel has issued a stark and urgent warning to Iranian civilians: evacuate areas near military and nuclear facilities immediately.

The warning, delivered through diplomatic channels and public statements, comes amid fears of an expanded Israeli military campaign targeting strategic sites across Iran.

Israeli defense officials said the move is aimed at minimizing civilian casualties as military operations intensify. “We are urging Iranian civilians to leave areas close to military compounds, missile bases, and nuclear infrastructure. These locations are not safe,” an Israeli government spokesperson said.

“We do not seek harm to innocent people, but we will not hesitate to act against threats to our national security.”

The warning follows reports that Israel has already conducted precision strikes on several Iranian military targets, with further action expected. The Fordo uranium enrichment facility, long considered a hardened and heavily protected site, is believed to be among the potential future targets.

While Iran has not formally responded to the evacuation warning, state media accused Israel of “psychological warfare” and denied that any evacuations are necessary. However, unconfirmed reports on social media suggested increased movement of families and vehicles from areas near known military installations.

The international community has expressed concern about the potential for a broader regional conflict. The United States, though declining to join Israel’s military operations, has urged both sides to avoid actions that could lead to full-scale war. “We support de-escalation and diplomacy, but we recognize Israel’s right to defend itself,” a senior U.S. official said.

Israel’s unprecedented warning to Iranian civilians signals that further strikes may be imminent—and potentially larger in scale. Experts say this level of public notice is rare and underscores the seriousness of the situation.

As the region braces for what may come next, the Israeli government has reiterated that its fight is not with the Iranian people but with what it calls the “aggressive and clandestine actions” of the Iranian regime.

“We are targeting weapons, not civilians,” an Israeli military source emphasized. “But we strongly advise the people of Iran: if you are near a military facility, leave now.”

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Israel urged US to join strikes on Iran, but Washington declined

A US official confirmed Israel’s request but said that Washington is not currently considering joining the conflict.

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Israel has requested US support in its ongoing military campaign against Iran, but Washington has rejected the proposal for now, according to a report by Axios, citing both Israeli and American officials.

Over the past 48 hours, Israeli officials reportedly asked the Trump administration to take part in strikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure.

Two Israeli sources told Axios that Israel is seeking American assistance, particularly in targeting Iran’s underground Fordo uranium enrichment facility—believed to be beyond the reach of Israel’s military capabilities alone.

A US official confirmed Israel’s request but said that Washington is not currently considering joining the conflict.

A senior White House official told Axios that while Israel’s military operations are unlikely to be stopped, the US is still pushing for diplomacy. “Whatever happens with Israel’s strikes on Iran cannot be prevented… but we have the ability to negotiate a peaceful resolution to this conflict if Iran is willing. The fastest way for Iran to achieve peace is to give up its nuclear weapons program,” the official said.

The report also noted that former President Donald Trump had previously told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. might consider a strike on the Fordo site if it became necessary to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. However, the White House has denied that any such military action is currently under consideration, reiterating that “now is not the time” for a U.S.-led attack.

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Nearly one-third of Afghanistan’s population lacks access to safe drinking water

More than 10 million people in Afghanistan continue to rely on unsafe and unprotected water sources

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The United Nations has raised alarm over the ongoing water crisis in Afghanistan, revealing that nearly one-third of the country’s population does not have access to safe drinking water.

According to UN data, more than 10 million people in Afghanistan continue to rely on unsafe and unprotected water sources.

Despite some progress in recent years, the crisis remains a major burden—particularly for rural communities, with women and children bearing the brunt of its impact.

In response to this pressing challenge, the United Nations has reaffirmed its commitment to rehabilitating and restoring water supply infrastructure damaged by years of conflict and drought; expanding and improving health and sanitation services to reach more than 5 million Afghans by 2026; and strengthening the capacity of local communities to sustainably manage water resources.

The UN emphasizes that ensuring equitable access to clean water is not only vital for public health, but also essential for community resilience and long-term development in Afghanistan.

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