SECURITY
23 Militants Killed, Four Hideouts Destroyed in US Airstrikes in Helmand
Helmand: At least 23 militants were killed in airstrikes conducted by the US forces in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan while four hideouts of the militants were also destroyed. The airstrikes were carried out in the vicinity of Garamser district of Helmand. Khaama
Afghan Intelligence Foil Taliban Attack Plans in Kabul City
Kabul: The Afghan intelligence operatives have foiled plans by the Taliban group to carry out a series of attacks in capital Kabul. Hideout of the Taliban insurgents was busted in capital Kabul, resulting to the killing of a Taliban insurgent. The operation was conducted in the vicinity of Mosahi district of Kabul. Khaama
One Killed, Two Wounded in Attack on Afghan Army Bus in Herat
Herat: At least one person was killed and two others were wounded in an attack on the Afghan army bus in western Herat province of Afghanistan. The incident took place at central city of Herat. Two militants riding on motorcycles opened fire on a bus carrying Afghan army soldiers and officers and flee the area after opening fire on the bus. Khaama
45 Rockets Fired on Nangarhar from other side of Durand Line: Khogyani
Nangarhar: At least forty five rockets fired from the other side of Durand Line landed in Lalpur district of eastern Nangarhar province. The persistent rocket attacks have incurred casualties to the residents of the three provinces besides hundreds of families have been forced to flee the area. Khaama
Ex-Taliban Commander joins Daesh in Jawzjan
Jawzjan: A former Taliban commander, who reconciled with the government along with 220 associates about two years back, has joined Daesh militant group in northern Jawzjan province. Pajhwok
Two Children Killed in Zabul Blast
Zabul: At least two children have been killed in a blast in southern Zabul province. Gul Islam, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News the explosion took place in Aom kai area. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
Media Support Groups Condemn RTA Attack
President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack and said it was an “attack on free speech.” Organizations supporting the media also strongly condemned the attack against National Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) in Jalalabad, Nangarhar, and said the assault was a clear breach of international humanitarian law. Tolonews
Jamiat Leaders Warn of Daesh, Taliban Danger in Northern Regions
Atta Mohammad Noor, Balkh governor, warned that the increase in Taliban and Daesh operatives in the north posed serious threats to the safety of the north and called on all political parties in the country to unite against the insurgents. He said that the Taliban had split into four factions and the fabricated Daesh was also a peril for the north. Tolonews
Presidential Elections not to be delayed even for a second, Promises Abdullah
The Chief Executive of the Government of National Unity Abdullah Abdullah promised that the presidential elections would not be delayed even for a second. The presidential elections in Afghanistan is scheduled to be organized in early 2019 but there are concerns regarding the on time conduct of the elections as the government has so far failed to organize the parliamentary elections. Khaama
JIA Stands for Horizontal Power Sharing: Rabbani
The Jamiat-i-Islami Afghanistan (JIA) party said that political reform and horizontal distribution of power were possible in a parliamentary system. Salahuddin Rabbani, JIA leader and acting foreigner minister, said that equal distribution of power would lead towards stability in Afghanistan. Pajhwok
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
NATO Asked to be Ready to Send more Troops to Afghanistan
A top U.S military officer called on NATO to be prepared to move fast to deploy additional forces if U.S President Trump and other heads of states agree to bolster the alliance’s mission in Afghanistan. Curtis Michael Scaparrotti, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said that the decision to send the troops to Afghanistan should be finalized soon. NATO’s heads of state summit will be held in Brussels on May 25 where they will announce their decision to send in more troops to Afghanistan. Tolonews
Regional Countries Funding the Taliban: Kandahar Police Chief
Abdul Raziq, Kandahar police chief genera, said that certain countries in the region were trying to keep the Taliban’s war machine operational as they believed that conflict in Afghanistan protected their interests. According to him, countries like Pakistan, Russia and Iran are funding and equipping the Taliban and other insurgent groups in order to fuel the war machine and pursue their own objectives. Tolonews
Islamabad Summons Envoy over Arrest in Kabul of two Diplomats
Islamabad summoned Afghanistan’s deputy head of mission to the Pakistani Foreign Office in protest over the alleged arrest of two diplomatic officials in Kabul. The Afghan DHM was conveyed that the incident was a clear violation of the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations (1961) and against the spirit of the brotherly relations between the two countries. It was emphasized that such incidents undermined the constructive engagement which the two countries envisaged for strengthening of bilateral ties. Tolonews
HRW Calls on U.S to Improve Civilian Protection
Human Rights Watch called on the U.S Defense Department to urgently adopt measures to better protect civilians in the Afghan armed conflict. The human rights watchdog, in a letter to the Defense Secretary James Mattis, said that increasing numbers of civilian deaths and injuries from U.S airstrikes in Afghanistan raised concerns that the procedures for vetting airstrikes were inadequate. Tolonews
No Evidence Russia aiding Taliban: CEO Office
The Chief Executive Officer’s office said that no evidence existed to show Russia’s military support to the Taliban, but cautioned such contacts with terrorists were dangerous for peace and stability of the region. Pajhwok
NATO Agreed to do more in Fight against IS
NATO top brass has recommended that the military alliance shall join the international coalition fighting the Islamic State group, not only in Afghanistan but in the rest of the world as well. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded NATO to do more in the fight against IS. Pajhwok, Khaama
Ghani backs HIA Deal, Engagement with Russia
President Ashraf Ghani has underlined the need for working concurrently on developing the country’s economy and improving the security environment. He also supported engagement with Russia. He said it would help to defeat IS inside Afghanistan. Pajhwok
Ceasefire Agreed at Pak-Afghan Border till Consensus
A ‘one Star Border Flag meeting’ between Pakistani and Afghan officials agreed to maintain ceasefire along the border till they hammer out a consensus. According to them it would help to defuse tension between the neighboring states. Pajhwok
Troop surge to Prolong Afghanistan Conflict: ASC
The Afghanistan Salvation Council (ASC) said that sending more foreign troops to Afghanistan would prolong the war, asking the government and militants to build trust. It would further destabilize the country. Pajhwok
