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US forces’ withdrawal to begin in a week
Mark Esper, the US Secretary of Defense said that the order of the US forces’ withdrawal has been issued to the Chiefs of Staff of the joint forces, emphasizing that the US keeps close monitoring over the Taliban’s actions, thus they will take the next step withdrawing their forces.
The Chiefs of Staff also supported the US-Taliban agreement for bringing peace to Afghanistan saying it was a conditioned agreement.
Apparently, the US force withdrawal process will be started gradually following the US-Taliban, after 19 years of war.
US Secretary of Defense talks about close monitoring of the Taliban’s actions adding that the future decisions of the US depend on the Taliban’s commitment.
According to him, the ‘preparation for the withdrawal of US forces within ten days’ is a sign of success for the US commitment to the peace agreement.
Mark Esper the US Secretary of Defense said that the US will decrease its troops to 8,600 within 135 days and will start withdrawing the US forces within 10 days, adding that he had commanded the joint forces’ Chief of Staff to start working on the withdrawal.
Esper also underlined that the remaining 8,600 troops hold the capability of conducting necessary military operations.
Mark Milley, the Chief of Staff for the joint forces considered the US-Taliban agreement a “very critical point” for Afghanistan to end the war and called it an achievement after the US’s sacrifices.
Mark Milley said, “This agreement, as the secretary said, is conditional and the best opportunity to end the war is now. Protecting the US national security is a priority one the agreement as well as it provides the best hope for a peaceful future for the people of Afghanistan.”
Although according to the agreement, the US war with the Taliban is over, another challenge for the Afghan peace process is starting the Intra-Afghan dialogues – begin with, the Taliban has set a precondition which is the release of 5,000 prisoners, but has been rejected by the Afghan government.
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Pakistan to repatriate nearly 20,000 Afghans awaiting US resettlement
Authorities will also share verified data of the affected individuals with relevant departments to support implementation.
Pakistan will repatriate nearly 20,000 Afghan nationals currently awaiting resettlement in the United States, The Nation reported, citing official sources.
The move affects 19,973 Afghans living across Pakistan.
A federal directive will instruct provincial chief secretaries and police chiefs in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Islamabad Capital Territory to begin the repatriation process immediately.
Authorities will also share verified data of the affected individuals with relevant departments to support implementation.
Following the Islamic Emirate’s return to power in 2021, more than 100,000 Afghans fled to Pakistan, many of whom had worked with the US and UK governments, international organizations, or aid agencies.
Thousands have remained stranded in Pakistan for over four years while awaiting US resettlement clearance.
Prospects for relocation have dimmed amid a suspension of case processing by the US administration, according to The Nation.
Under Pakistan’s Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), all Afghan nationals still awaiting US relocation will now be returned to Afghanistan.
Terrorist activities continue to be observed along Afghanistan borders and along the India–Pakistan–Afghanistan corridor, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview published on Monday.
Speaking to Russia-based media outlet TV BRICS, Lavrov pointed to ongoing concerns in the Middle East, including its Asian regions.
He highlighted the importance of collaboration with India at the United Nations to advance a global counter-terrorism convention.
Lavrov stated that while the draft convention has already been prepared, consensus on its adoption has not yet been reached.
Russia has repeatedly expressed concern about militant threats from Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate, however, has dismissed the concerns saying that it will not allow Afghanistan’s soil to be used against any country.
Noorullah Noori, Afghanistan’s Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs, held a phone conversation with Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, to discuss bilateral border cooperation.
According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening border collaboration, with a particular focus on the ongoing renovation and updating of border markers. They also agreed to accelerate joint technical and legal meetings to enhance coordination.
As part of the agreement, the next meeting of senior border officials from Afghanistan and Iran is scheduled to take place in Iran in 1405 (2026–2027).
Pakistan to repatriate nearly 20,000 Afghans awaiting US resettlement
Terrorist activities observed along Afghanistan borders, says Lavrov
Afghan border minister holds phone talks with Iran’s deputy foreign minister
OIC Kabul mission chief meets German envoy to discuss Afghanistan situation
Iran arrests at least four reform front politicians
Afghanistan–China joint market opens in Kabul
Pakistan approves re-export of stranded Afghan transit trade cargo
ATN secures broadcast rights to Carabao Cup semis across Afghanistan
Pakistan army orders evacuation of Tirah Valley, fears of mass displacement grow
Afghan traders sign deal to import pharmaceuticals from Bangladesh
Saar: Afghanistan’s relations and opportunities with regional countries
Tahawol: Kabul’s response to Pakistan’s new accusation discussed
Saar: Discussion on Iran-US talks in Oman
Tawsia: Afghanistan’s interest in buying Russian oil and gas
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