SECURITY
Taliban Launches its Summer Offensive
The Taliban officially announced its launch of this year’s fighting season and said its “Mansouri Operation” will differ from previous ones in nature and will be conducted with a twin-tracked political and military approach. Politically, they will pay attention to establishing mechanisms for social justice and development apparatus will be set up to help those deceived by the enemy. On the military front, the Taliban said in areas where they do not have full control the enemy will be targeted, harassed, killed or captured until they are compelled to abandon their few remaining posts. Tolonews
Local Officials in Badakhshan Reject fall of Zebak District
Bagakhshan: The local government officials in northeastern Badakhshan province have rejected the fall of Zebak district. The district has not fallen to Taliban control but admitted that heavy clashes are underway in this district. No report of human loses during the clash has yet been reported. Khaama
Key ISIS Leader among 45 Killed in Nangarhar Province
Nangarhar: At least forty five militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group were killed during the clearance operations in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. A high ranking militant commander and in charge of communications and relations, Qari Nafiz, was among 36 killed during the airstrikes and ground clearance operations in Achin district. Nine ISIS militants were killed and two others were wounded during a separate operation conducted in Haska Mina district. Khaama
Two US Soldiers Killed in Achin Battle with Daesh
Nangarhar: Two American soldiers have been killed during operations against the Islamic State (Daesh) militant group in eastern Nangarhar province. Pajhwok
Taliban Take Seven Passengers Hostage in Farah City
Farah: Taliban militants kidnapped seven passengers in the capital of western Farah province. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
Hekmatyar Meets Supporters in Laghman
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, head of Hizb-e-Islami, met with a large number of his supporters in Mehtarlam city, the capital city of Laghman province. Hekmatyar will come to Kabul and that President Ashraf Ghani will officially welcome him during an event to mark the anniversary of 8th Saur, the Victory Day of Mujahideen. HIA leader Gulbadin Hekmatyar, emerging from two decades of hiding, said that no one could rule the Afghans against their will. Tolonews
Zia Massoud Apologizes to Nation for Supporting Ghani
Ahmad Zia Massoud, the president’s former special representative for reforms and good governance, apologized to the people for supporting President Ashraf Ghani during presidential elections. He said, “A public mobilization should be made to force the president to resign.” He further said that President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has handed over the control of 50 percent of Afghanistan’s territory to Taliban. Tolonews
Release of Hizb-e-Islami Prisoners Postponed
The president, Ghani, has not yet ordered the release of prisoners of Hizb-e-Islami; however, he would do it in the next day or two. According to Sima Samar, head of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), “No one has the right to forgive war crimes and crimes against humanity. Also no one has the right to forgive another person”. Tolonews
Stand United against Terrorists, Abdullah Urges Nation
While Addressing a Mujahidin Victory Day event in Panjsher province, CEO, Abdullah Abdullah said that Militant outfits always fight for enforcing their own nefarious agenda, promoting the interest of no state. According to him, “We should stand united against terrorism.” Pajhwok
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
U.S Considering Sending in Up To 5,000 additional Soldiers
The Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan has said that the United States’ new administration’s strategy for Afghanistan has not been finalized, but that U.S officials are considering a further deployment of between 3,000 and 5,000 additional troops. According to Captain Bill Salvin, spokesman for Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, “General (John) Nicholson has made his recommendations to his chain of command and that is currently being discussed in Washington. We think it is reasonable to expect a decision from them sometime in the next month or so”. Tolonews
