SECURITY
Security Forces Re-Take Ghormach after heavy Clash
Faryab: Afghan security forces managed to reclaim Ghormach district in northern Faryab province after a three-hour battle with the Taliban. When dozens of insurgents launched an attack on the center of Ghormach, the security forces were able to drive back the insurgents. No further details about the attack and casualties have yet been reported. Tolonews
130 Insurgents Killed in Afghan Forces Operations, MoD Claims
According to the Ministry of Defense (MoD), at least 130 insurgents were killed during the counter-terrorism operations in various provinces. As a result of the operation 130 insurgents including 46 Daesh affiliates and a local commander of Taliban were killed, 24 wounded and 3 others arrested. Khaama
US Drone Strike Leaves Eight Taliban Insurgents Dead in Nangarhar
Nangarhar: At least eight Taliban insurgents were killed in an airstrike conducted by the US forces in eastern Nangarhar province. The militants were targeted in the vicinity of Chaparhar district, home to several Taliban and ISIS militants. A clash was also broke out between the Taliban insurgents and ISIS militants in Chaparhar district which left more than 30 militants dead or wounded from the both sides. At least two civilians including a child were also killed and five others wounded during the clash. Khaama
Tweleve ISIS-K Militants Killed in Nangarhar Operations
Nangarhar: At least twelve militants affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria Khurasan (ISIS-K) were killed during the ongoing operations in eastern Nangarhar province. The militants were killed during Hamza counter-terrorism operations in Achin district of Nangarhar. Khaama
US Forces Unhurt in Batikot Car Bomb Attack
Nangarhar: A car suicide bomber targeted American forces in the Bati Kot district of eastern Nangarhar province; however, no casualties were reported. Pajhwok
807 Afghan Soldiers Killed in First Six Weeks of 2017: SIGAR
According to The United States Special Inspector General for Reconstruction, at least 807 Afghan soldiers lost their lives just in the first six weeks of 2017. The report also indicates a record number of casualties among civilians. Khaama
POLITICAL
Structure of the NUG will not Change: CEO’s Office
According to the statement from CEO Office, government’s structure and its goals will not change in reaction to Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s remarks on the National Unity Government (NUG). Hekmatyar criticized government and said it was like a car with two drivers. He voiced displeasure at the dispute between the NUG leaders and said if they couldn’t resolve their disagreements, one of them should step down. Tolonews
Sayyaf Warns Insurgents against being Deceived
Abduf Rab Rasoul Sayyaf, former Jihadi leader and head of the Council of Protection and Stability of Afghanistan, said that insurgents should not allow themselves to be deceived by their Muftis and that insurgents were not carrying out Jihad. According to him, “I assure the security forces that they were on holy duty and fighting against slaves.” Tolonews
President Ghani Signs Decree to Release over 70 Prisoners of Hezb-e-Islami
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has signed a decree for the release of first batch of Hezb-e-Islam prisoners. He also chaired the National Security Council meeting and instructed the relevant authorities to take immediate steps in implementation of the peace deal with Hezb-e-Islami and release of prisoners. Khaama
Abdullah Reacts at Taliban’s Spring Offensive, saying Afghan forces Ready to Respond
Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the Chief Executive of the Government of National Unity, said that the Afghan forces were ready to respond and defend the country in response to Taliban announcement of Spring Offensive. He further said that the Afghan security forces were ready not only to defend the Afghan people and sovereignty but also to destroy the enemies of country. Khaama
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Karzai Casts Doubt over US’s Counter-Terror Strategy
According to former President Hamid Karzai, Afghans continue to suffer through “terrorism and extremism” despite the United States and its western allies’ intervention in the country fifteen years ago. He criticized the US’s counter-terrorism strategy in Afghanistan. According to him, “We need peace in Afghanistan and we need success against terrorism in Afghanistan; the U.S came into Afghanistan in the name of fighting extremism and terrorism. Fifteen years on, do we have less of it or more of it? We have a lot more of it; so obviously we failed there and the victim is the Afghan people and our peace”. Tolonews
NATO Chief Says Troop Increase to Afghanistan on the Cards
According to Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, the military alliance is close to making a decision on whether to increase its troop level in Afghanistan in order to help with the battle against insurgents. According to him the alliance would likely make a decision by June on a potential troop increase and on whether to lengthen the time of soldier deployments, which currently are for one year. Tolonews
UN Mission in Afghanistan Welcomes Hekmatyar’s Return to Afghanistan
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan welcomed the conclusion of peace agreement between the Afghan government and the Hez-e-Islami led Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. According to the statement, “UNAMA supports the efforts by Afghanistan’s National Unity Government to engage all those interested in establishing an equitable peace and renouncing violence for good.” While at the same time NATO also welcomed the full implementation of peace agreement between the Afghan government and Hezb-e-Islami led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Khaama
UK may Deploy more Soldiers in Afghanistan
The United Kingdom may deploy more troops to Afghanistan under a NATO plan to step up its military presence in the war-devastated country. Pajhwok
US must Press Pakistan to Change its Afghan Policy: ICG
According to the report released by the International Crisis Group (ICG), the United States should condition its military aid to Pakistan to force Islamabad to rethink its alleged support to the Afghan insurgency. It further stated that Pakistan should change its Afghan policy. Pajhwok
