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US Mission in Afghanistan Has Not Changed: Esper
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says Washington will continue to pursue an aggressive military campaign against Taliban and other terrorist groups until Afghanistan reaches to a political settlement.
In a surprise visit, the Pentagon chief arrived in Afghanistan on Sunday.
On Monday, Esper appeared at a joint press conference with Afghan Defense Minister Asadullah Khalid, Interior Minister Massoud Andarabi and U.S. top commander in Afghanistan General Scott Miller.
Speaking at the conference with his Afghan counterparts, Esper said the United States is supporting peace efforts led by the Afghan government.
“The United States remains fully committed to helping Afghans create a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan,” he added.
Esper said he had a good meeting with President Ashraf Ghani upon his arrival and the two sides have spoken about the importance of relationship between Afghanistan and the United States.
He reiterated that his country remains committed to the success of Afghan security forces who have taken the lead of security in the war-torn country.
The U.S. official also praised Afghan forces for their success to provide security of the Afghan presidential election that took place on September 28 despite of Taliban’s repeated threats.
“Regardless of the outcome of the election, our security partnership with Afghanistan will remain strong. Our mission in Afghanistan has not changed,” Esper emphasized.
During his one and half day stay in the capital of Afghanistan, Pentagon chief also visited U.S. soldiers based in camp Moorhead in southeast of Kabul.
“Just finished lunch with Afghan Security Ministers including @MoDAfghanistan Defense Minister Khalid and Interior Minister Andrabi. We all agree that a political settlement is the only long-term solution for peace and security in Afghanistan,” Esper wrote on Twitter as he departed from Afghanistan.
Torkham commissioner Mullah Abdul Jabbar Hikmat said Thursday the crossing will be closed for the next three days in order for Pakistan border authorities to move into new premises.
He said the crossing has been closed to travelers and to people seeking medical help in Pakistan.
Hikmat appealed to the public not to make their way to the crossing over the next three days.
However, trucks carrying goods will still be able to cross as per usual, in both directions.
Pakistani media has also reported that the crossing will be closed from May 17 to May 19 in order to enable border officials to move into new premises.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense confirmed Wednesday that one person was killed and 12 were injured when a helicopter crashed in Firozkoh, the capital of Ghor province.
Enayatullah Khwarazmi, the spokesman of the Ministry of Defense, said on X that on Wednesday morning, an Air Force Mi-17 helicopter, which was sent to Ghor province, experienced technical problems and crashed into a wall during an emergency landing.
In footage published by Afghan media, the wreckage of a helicopter can be seen lying in a fast-flowing river, with crowds of people gathered around it.
The spokesman of the Ministry of Defense said the helicopter had been sent to Firozkoh to retrieve bodies of car crash victims.
The spokesman said a car plunged into the Harirod River a few days ago, resulting in the death of a few people.
Takeyoshi Kuramaya, Japan’s ambassador to Afghanistan, said in a meeting with Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy prime minister, that the lack of diplomatic presence of Western countries in Afghanistan has caused them to be unaware of the positive developments in the country.
According to him, the international community should have direct contact with the Islamic Emirate.
Kuramaya also said Japan is committed to cooperating with Afghans in dealing with natural disasters, treating drug addicts and finding alternative crops for former poppy farmers.
On the other hand, Kabir said at this meeting that due to the support of the people, the Islamic Emirate has been able to ensure national peace, start big projects and make many other improvements.
The political deputy added that the Islamic Emirate is trying to solve people’s problems and wants positive interactions and broad relations with the world.
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