Latest News
US should compensate families of victims killed in drone strike: IEA
The United States military is accountable for killing innocent Afghan civilians through indiscriminate drone strike, and the U.S. government should compensate the families of the victims, said a spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan [IEA] on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
The statement came following the U.S. Department of Defense’s decision on Monday that no military personnel involved in a drone strike that killed 10 civilians, including seven children, in the Afghan capital of Kabul in August, will face punishment.
“We want the families of those who were brutally killed to be assisted. The U.S. must pay the compensation. It is the demand of the Afghan people, but the Americans deny it. The U.S. has committed many similar actions in the world and is now saying [that no punishment for those involved in the air strikes]. The U.S. killed many innocent people in Afghanistan in the last 20 years. So this is not blackmail. It is an ethical responsibility of the U.S. that needs to be done,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesman of the IEA.
According to the report the Defense Department admitted in September that the drone strike – which came in the final days of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan – was a “tragic mistake” that killed the civilians.
The decision by the Pentagon was deemed unacceptable by the families of the victims.
One family member, Aimal Ahmadi, complained that the U.S. has told them several times that it has committed a mistake, but now it has changed its tune and said it won’t punish those who conducted the attack, read the report.
“The U.S. pledged to compensate us. They said that the wrongdoers would be brought to justice and they would help us to stay out of danger. The U.S. must fulfill the promises now. Each time they come with new excuses for their actions. The U.S. is the world’s superpower and it has to fulfill the promises they made,” said Ajmal Ahmadi, another family member of the victims.
Jaihoon Ahmad, a Kabul resident, said an international court is necessary to investigate the drone strikes conducted by the U.S, Reuters reported.
“An international court must be formed that can act in an impartial manner. There should be an impartial body that can investigate all the relevant issues of drone strikes and see if America is guilty. The reasons for the strikes must be investigated. Those who have conducted the attack must be punished,” he said.
Latest News
Afghanistan now has unified central government: IEA defense minister
Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the Minister of Defense of the Islamic Emirate, says that Afghanistan currently has a unified central government, and that no groups engaging in destructive activities are present in the country. He added that they will not allow anyone to undermine the country’s security.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defense, Mujahid made these remarks at a graduation ceremony for commandos of the Special Forces Division. The ceremony was attended by Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Minister of Interior; several cabinet ministers; foreign ambassadors and military attachés; special representatives; and a number of officials and military personnel.
Addressing the commandos, Yaqoob Mujahid said: “In the service you perform, make the pleasure of Almighty Allah your sole intention, because Almighty Allah will reward you for such an intention in this world and the hereafter. There is now a unified central government in the country, and no groups engaging in destructive activities are present. We will also not allow anyone to undermine security.”
He also added: “I assure our people that these forces will defend the lives, property, and territory of their beloved country with full courage and wisdom. I tell all foreign countries that Afghanistan is now secure, and there is no enemy in this country, whether from within or outside, that poses a threat to others.”
At the ceremony, Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani also said: “For half a century, Afghanistan did not have an independent army. However, now, it has an organized army and other security forces. You are not a ceremonial army, nor do you operate to serve the interests of others; rather, you are an organized and independent army. Although we may be materially weak, we are stronger than others in terms of morale and spirituality. We must maintain high morale, avoid acting emotionally in military affairs, and respond to the enemy at the appropriate time. We are not a threat to anyone; rather, we are defenders of our own land.”
It is worth noting that 1,000 young commandos of the Special Forces Division of the Ministry of Defense graduated from the eighth training course after completing six months of professional, ideological, and commando training.
During the ceremony, the graduating commandos, in cooperation with the Air Force, demonstrated coordinated practical and military exercises using various types of unmanned aircraft.
Latest News
Baradar approves action plan for establishing special economic zones
The action plan for establishing special economic zones across the country was approved on Wednesday by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.
According to a decree issued by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate, these special economic zones will be established in the provinces of Kabul, Balkh, Nangarhar, Kandahar, Herat, Paktia, and Kunduz.
Under the plan, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in cooperation with other relevant ministries and government agencies, will identify the land required for these zones, determine the necessary sectoral activities and services, and create the conditions needed to attract investment.
The establishment of these special economic zones is aimed at attracting new investments, achieving a relative balance between exports and imports, and expanding production activities in a suitable environment, paving the way for a new phase of economic development in the country.
Latest News
Russian deputy prime minister to visit Kabul with high-level economic delegation
The visit aims to strengthen economic and trade relations between Afghanistan and Russia, explore investment opportunities and discuss potential joint economic projects.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk is scheduled to visit Kabul on Thursday, leading a high-level economic delegation, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.
According to a statement by the ministry, the visit aims to strengthen economic and trade relations between Afghanistan and Russia, explore investment opportunities and discuss potential joint economic projects.
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for officials from both countries to discuss ways of expanding bilateral economic cooperation and identifying new areas for trade and investment.
The ministry did not provide further details about the delegation’s programme or the specific projects expected to be discussed during the visit.
-
Sport3 days agoAfghanistan’s record partnership highlights fourth day of Test against Zimbabwe
-
World3 days agoHouthi-run health ministry says airstrikes kill 33 near Yemen capital
-
Sport4 days agoToofan Herat defeat Arman FC 2–0 in Afghanistan Champions League
-
Sport3 days agoAfghanistan thrash Senegal 6-0 to reach Dakar Youth Olympics futsal semi-finals
-
Regional4 days agoPakistan’s leaders dread US Democrats’ win but its households are praying for it
-
Sport2 days agoPortugal beat Afghanistan 2-0 in Dakar Youth Olympics futsal semi-finals
-
Business4 days agoUK-Afghanistan trade falls 16.7% to £70 million over 12 months
-
Regional3 days agoExplosions heard in areas in southern Iran, Iranian media report
