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US House Republican report blasts Biden over chaotic Afghan withdrawal
Some 800,000 U.S. service members served in Afghanistan following the U.S.-led invasion triggered by the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the U.S. by Afghanistan-based al Qaeda.
U.S. House of Representatives Republicans will release a long-awaited report on Monday blasting Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration for failures surrounding the chaotic and deadly U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, Reuters reported.
The report contends that the administration made its decision to evacuate noncombatants far too late, formally ordering it only on Aug. 16, failed to communicate between departments in Washington and among officials in Afghanistan, and botched the paperwork for the departure of Afghan civilians eligible to leave the country.
It is the result of a three-year investigation led by Representative Michael McCaul, Republican chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
“America’s credibility on the world stage was severely damaged after we abandoned Afghan allies to Taliban [Islamic Emirate] reprisal killings — the people of Afghanistan we had promised to protect,” the report said. “And the moral injury to America’s veterans and those still serving remains a stain on this administration’s legacy.”
The withdrawal has become intensely politicized ahead of the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election. Last month, the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, shot video for his campaign at Arlington National Cemetery where he appeared at a ceremony honoring troops killed in the evacuation.
Trump has also attacked Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris over the exit from Afghanistan during campaign appearances, blaming them personally for the deaths at Kabul airport’s Abbey Gate. On Aug. 26, 2021, as U.S. forces were trying to help Americans and Afghans flee as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan took control of the country, a suicide attack at the Abbey Gate entrance to Kabul’s airport killed 13 Americans, compounding the U.S. sense of defeat after two decades of war, Reuters reported.
Harris is the Democratic presidential nominee.
Democrats have insisted that some blame for the messy end of the war – less than seven months into Biden’s presidency – should be laid at the feet of Trump, who began the withdrawal process by signing a deal with the Islamic Emirate in 2020.
“When former President Trump took office, there were approximately 14,000 American troops in Afghanistan. Days before leaving office, the former President ordered a further reduction to 2,500,” Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs panel, said in a letter to committee Democrats about the investigation.
Republican committee aides dismissed that contention as partisan politics, saying Biden could have ignored Trump’s agreement or enforced it, accusing officials who served during Biden’s presidency of allowing the Islamic Emirate to disregard its commitments.
Some 800,000 U.S. service members served in Afghanistan following the U.S.-led invasion triggered by the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the U.S. by Afghanistan-based al Qaeda.
During the war, 2,238 U.S. service members died and nearly 21,000 were wounded. Independent estimates put the number of Afghan security forces and civilians killed at more than 100,000, Reuters reported.
McCaul has subpoenaed Secretary of State Antony Blinken three times in connection with the Afghanistan investigation, most recently last week, saying that he wants him to testify in person.
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Haqqani visits four Afghan provinces, meets local officials and residents
During his visit to Paktia, Haqqani met with tribal elders in Gardez-e-Sher district and attended a condolence gathering for a deceased family member.
Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani has visited Ghazni, Paktika, Paktia and Maidan Wardak provinces, meeting with local officials, religious scholars, tribal elders, security members and residents to discuss security, governance and community concerns.
According to a statement released by the ministry, Haqqani listened to residents’ concerns, reviewed the activities of local authorities and discussed administrative and security challenges during his visits.
In Ghazni, Haqqani attended a graduation ceremony at Noor-ul-Madaris Madrasa in Shilgar district, where more than 400 students received graduation certificates from various departments.
He also visited an elementary school in Behbud village of Gilan district, where he reviewed the learning environment and discussed plans for constructing a school building and providing assistance to students.
During another visit, he inspected the Shaheed Muslim Orphanage in Janda area and received information about the children’s education and welfare.
In Paktika, Haqqani met with local residents, tribal elders and security members in Khairkot district, emphasizing reconstruction and national development.
He said the period of war and bloodshed had ended and that Afghanistan should now focus on rebuilding and progress. He also described reconstruction as a shared responsibility between the government and the public.
At the Paktika provincial governor’s office, Haqqani met civilian and security officials to discuss the province’s overall situation, administrative affairs, security challenges and public service needs.
He also met separately with people with disabilities, listened to their concerns and assured them of cooperation and support.
During his visit to Paktia, Haqqani met with tribal elders in Gardez-e-Sher district and attended a condolence gathering for a deceased family member.
His final stop was Maidan Wardak province, where he visited the Tang-e Valley and attended another condolence gathering before returning to Kabul.
The four-province tour focused on engagement with local communities, reviewing provincial affairs and discussing reconstruction, governance and public concerns.
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Afghan and Iranian officials discuss expanding economic cooperation
Ahmad Jan Bilal, General Director of State-Owned Corporations, met on Tuesday with Iran’s Ambassador to Kabul, Ali Reza Bikdeli, to discuss expanding bilateral economic cooperation and following up on issues raised during his recent visit to Iran.
According to a statement from the General Directorate of State-Owned Companies, the meeting focused on reviewing ways to implement discussions held with Iranian officials during Bilal’s visit.
Bikdeli described the visit as positive and productive, stressing the importance of following up on the issues discussed and taking practical steps to advance bilateral cooperation.
He said Iran is ready to cooperate with Afghanistan in oil and gas exploration, extraction and exports, refinery construction, agriculture, water and electricity.
Bilal, for his part, said the Islamic Emirate is interested in expanding joint cooperation with Iran in energy, agriculture, industrial development and other economic sectors. He added that his office would work with the Iranian side to turn the proposed areas of cooperation into practical initiatives.
Bilal also reaffirmed his office’s commitment to following up on the issues discussed during his recent visit to Iran and working towards their implementation in coordination with Iranian officials.
Bilal recently visited Iran at the head of a delegation, holding talks with several Iranian officials on expanding economic, trade and investment ties, particularly in the state-owned companies sector.
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Ariana Airlines reduces Kabul–Islamabad–Kabul airfares by $20
Ariana Afghan Airlines announced on Tuesday a reduction in ticket prices for flights on the Kabul–Islamabad–Kabul route from $190 to $170.
According to the airline, passengers can now purchase tickets for this route at $20 less than the previous fare.
The airline has also set a special fare of $150 for students travelling on this route.
Ariana Afghan Airlines said the move aims to reduce travel costs and make air travel more affordable and accessible for passengers and students.
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