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US mulls possibility of airstrikes if Afghan forces face crisis

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(Last Updated On: June 10, 2021)

The Pentagon is reportedly considering seeking authorization to carry out airstrikes to support Afghan security forces if Kabul or any other major Afghan city is in danger of falling to the Taliban, the New York Times reported Wednesday.

According to senior officials, this could potentially introduce flexibility into President Joe Biden’s plan to end the United States military presence in the conflict.

Initially, Biden and his top national security aides suggested that once U.S. troops left Afghanistan, air support would end as well, with the exception of strikes aimed at terrorist groups that could harm American interests.

But, according to the Times, military officials are actively discussing how they might respond if the rapid withdrawal produces consequences with substantial national security implications.

No decisions have been made yet, officials said. But they added that one option under consideration would be to recommend that U.S. warplanes or armed drones intervene in an extraordinary crisis, such as the potential fall of Kabul or a siege that puts American and allied embassies and citizens at risk, the Times reported.

A potential fall of Kabul is the crisis most likely to lead to military intervention after U.S. troops leave, officials said.

Intervening to protect Kandahar, Afghanistan’s second-largest city, would be far less certain, one official told the Times.

According to the Times, the discussion suggests the degree of concern in Washington about the ability of Afghanistan’s military to hold off the Taliban and maintain control of Kabul and other population centers.

And it is the latest indication of the scramble by the United States to address the ramifications of Biden’s decision in April to order a full withdrawal.

Whether to provide air support to Afghan security forces after U.S. troops pull out is one of several major questions about Afghanistan policy that the administration is grappling with as Biden prepares to meet NATO allies in Europe next week, the Times reported.

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US partners in Afghanistan mobilizing emergency aid for flood victims: Thomas West

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(Last Updated On: May 13, 2024)

Thomas West, the US special representative for Afghanistan, said Monday the United States is deeply saddened by the devastating floods in different parts of the country and that its partners in the country are mobilizing emergency aid, including food and water.

Karen Decker, the US Embassy’s charge d’affaires for Afghanistan, also posted a message on X and said the US is heartbroken by loss of life in Baghlan and elsewhere in Afghanistan after heavy rains and flash floods.

“The United States joins others in mobilizing emergency relief, food, and medical supplies through partners to support recovery efforts,” Decker said.

The occurrence of devastating floods in several provinces of the country, especially in Baghlan, has caused casualties and huge financial losses to local residents.

Based on the latest statistics, more than 300 people have died in two districts of Baghlan.

A large number of aid organizations, including the European Union’s Office for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, OCHA, the International Organization for Migration and the World Health Organization, are providing assistance to the flood victims.

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Deputy PM Baradar visits flood-affected areas in Baghlan province

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(Last Updated On: May 13, 2024)

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Economic Deputy Prime Minister, visited flood-hit areas in Baghlan province in northern Afghanistan on Monday to assess the devastation inflicted on the area.

After visiting the affected areas, Baradar met with local officials and gave instructions to them and representatives of working committees to provide the necessary assistance to the flood victims.

Baradar meanwhile pointed out that extreme damage had been caused in the flood-hit districts.

“It is necessary that the [disaster management] organization accelerates its efforts to provide food, medicine and shelter for the displaced citizens and aid to the flood affected areas,” said Baradar.

Baghlan and other northern provinces were hit by heavy rains and flash floods on Friday, which left more than 300 dead and over 1,600 injured.

Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed and livestock wiped out.

Officials said huge financial losses have been incurred.

Appeals have been made by numerous organizations to aid agencies to step in to help the victims.

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Minister of Hajj meets with Turkish President Erdoğan

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(Last Updated On: May 13, 2024)

The spokesman of the Islamic Emirate says that the acting minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs met with the President of Turkey at a consultative meeting of scholars from the Islamic world.

Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on X that Noor Mohammad Saqib, Acting Minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs, met and talked separately with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of Turkey, at the meeting.

Mujahid added that during the meeting, Erdoğan expressed his satisfaction over the security and the current situation in Afghanistan.

Mujahid quoted Saqib as having thanked Erdoğan for hosting the meeting and said: “Afghanistan wants good and advanced relations with the brother country of Turkey.”

According to Mujahid, Saqib added that the Islamic world, especially Afghanistan, expects the Erdoğan to play an important role in solving the problems of the Islamic Ummah.

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