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US to keep about 650 troops in Afghanistan after withdrawal

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The United States is expected to keep roughly 650 American troops in Afghanistan to provide security for diplomats after the main US military force completes its withdrawal, which is set to be largely done in the next two weeks, US officials told The Associated Press on Thursday.

In addition, several hundred additional American forces will remain at the Kabul airport, potentially until September, to assist Turkish troops providing security, as a temporary move until a more formal Turkey-led security operation is in place, the officials said.

Overall, officials said the US expects to have American and coalition military command, its leadership and most troops out by July Fourth, or shortly after that, meeting an aspirational deadline that commanders developed months ago.

The officials were not authorized to discuss details of the withdrawal and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

AP reported the departure of the bulk of the more than 4,000 troops that have been in the country in recent months is unfolding well before President Joe Biden’s September 11 deadline for withdrawal. And it comes amid accelerating Taliban battlefield gains, fueling fears that the Afghan government and its military could collapse in a matter of months.

In a statement Thursday night, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said that as Biden has ordered, the US will complete the withdrawal by early September. “Nothing has changed about that goal.” Kirby said.

“The situation is dynamic, and we review our progress daily. Speculation by unnamed sources about potential changes to that timeline should not be construed as predictive.”

On Friday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, chair of the High Council for National Reconciliation, are meeting with Biden at the White House. The two Afghan leaders also are to meet at the Pentagon with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and possibly other administration officials, the Pentagon announced.

AP reported that getting most troops out by early July had been in doubt because of complications including an outbreak of COVID-19 at the US Embassy and the push to get Afghan interpreters and others who helped the US out of the country.

Officials said US commanders and NATO allies in Afghanistan have been able to overcome logistical hurdles that might have prolonged the withdrawal process. But they also warned that plans in place for the final stages of the US military withdrawal could change if airport security agreements fall through or there are other major, unforeseen developments.

AP reported that as recently as last week, there was discussion of possibly extending the US troop presence at Bagram Airfield, north of Kabul, but officials said the US presence at the base is expected to end in the next several days.

The roughly 650 US troops that are planned to be a more permanent force presence in Afghanistan will provide security for the US Embassy and some ongoing support at the airport, AP reported.

Officials also said the US has agreed to leave a C-RAM — or Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar system — at the airport, as well as troops to operate it, as part of an agreement with Turkey. The US also plans to leave aircrew for helicopter support at the airport.

According to the officials, Turkey has largely agreed to provide security at the airport as long as it receives support from American forces. U.S. and Turkish military officials are meeting in Ankara this week to finalize arrangements.

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Afghanistan-Iran ties ‘expanded significantly’ since IEA takeover: Naeem

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Mohammad Naeem, Afghanistan’s deputy foreign minister for financial and administrative affairs, said on Sunday that since the Islamic Emirate took over Afghanistan in 2021, relations between Kabul and Tehran have expanded significantly.

Speaking at an event in Kabul to mark the 46th anniversary of the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Naeem emphasized that the level of bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, security and cultural fields has also increased.

“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants to expand and strengthen relations with neighboring countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, and emphasizes the continuation and deepening of relations in the political, cultural, security and economic fields,” Naeem said.

Iran’s acting ambassador in Kabul, Ali Reza Bekdeli, also pointed out the expansion of relations between the two countries in light of mutual cooperation. He said Tehran is ready to cooperate with Afghanistan in various fields, especially in the fight against terrorism and drugs.

“Fighting terrorism and extremism is another important area for cooperation between the two countries of Iran and Afghanistan. Currently, the two countries are cooperating with each other to combat various forms of terrorism."

At the ceremony, officials from the two countries also touched on the developments in the Middle East.

They condemned Israel’s attacks on Palestinians and called for Islamic countries to unite in support of the Palestinian people.

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UNICEF chief in Afghanistan reiterates every child’s right to a healthy life

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During his recent visit to Helmand province and a refugee camp, Dr Tajuddin Avila, UNICEF’s representative in Afghanistan, emphasized the importance of every child’s right to a healthy life and announced UNICEF’s efforts to improve the nutrition and health status of children in the country.

Referring to the difficult living conditions of children, he emphasized that every child has the right to start a healthy life and to receive the necessary support.

UNICEF is implementing several programs to reduce malnutrition and improve the health status of children in Afghanistan and is trying to respond to the basic needs of this vulnerable group.

In December, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) warned that the number of malnourished children in Afghanistan is expected to reach 3.5 million by 2025.

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Russia shares Pakistan’s concerns over growing terrorist activity

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Russia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Albert Khorev says Moscow shares Islamabad's concerns over the growing terrorist activity in Pakistan and supports their focus on countering this threat.

In an interview with Russia’s TASS news agency, Khorev: "We share Islamabad's concerns over the growing terrorist activity in Pakistan. Russia supports the desire of our Pakistani colleagues to fight terrorism, and we confirm our focus on strengthening constructive cooperation with Pakistan and Afghanistan."

He said that strengthening peace and stability in Afghanistan and “countering terrorist threats emanating from its territory are in our common interests in the region."

Khorev stated that Russia and Pakistan are engaged in productive counter-terrorism cooperation.

"The relevant expert consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers turned out to be highly effective. We pay close attention to the practical work

“In October 2024, the military contingents of the two countries jointly repelled various threats during the seventh round of the Russian-Pakistani Friendship exercises," he added.

He also said Russia is in solidarity with Afghanistan’s counter-terrorism efforts, to which it intends to provide the necessary assistance.

"Resolving security issues in the Pakistan-Afghan border area is primarily the domain of these countries. For our part, we welcome both bilateral and regional cooperation in the fight against the terrorist threat.”

He said dialogue on a wide range of common problems and challenges is already underway within the Moscow consultation format and at other multilateral venues that include Afghanistan’s neighbors.

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