SECURITY
‘Heavy Clashes’ Cause Closure of Kunduz-Takhar Highway
Kunduz: The Kunduz-Takhar Highway was closed to traffic following ‘heavy clashes’ between security forces and Taliban in parts of Kunduz province. According to source, the clashes were ongoing between Afghan forces and the militants. However, no casualties, on both sides, were reported so far. Tolonews
Casualties Sustained in Spin Boldak Clash
Kandahar: During an escalation of tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Afghan and Pakistani border forces clashed in Spin Boldak district in southern Kandahar province. Two armored vehicles belonged to Pakistani forces were destroyed in the fighting. At least, four border police forces were killed and 14 others were wounded in the clash along the Durand Line, while 23 civilians were also wounded in the fighting. Tolonews
Eight Daesh Affiliates Killed in Achin Drone Strike
Nangarhar: A NATO drone strike killed eight Islamic State or Daesh fighters in the Achin district of eastern Nangarhar province. Pajhwok
Above 60 Militants Dead in Badakhshan Raids
Badakhshan: At least 60 militants were killed in a series of raids by security forces in Ishkashim district of northeastern Badakhshan province. Pajhwok
35 Taliban Killed, 45 Wounded in Uruzgan Clash
Uruzgan: At least 35 militants were killed and 45 others wounded during an overnight clash with security forces in the Dehrawud district of central Uruzgan province. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
HIA Leader to Support Afghan Forces, Hopes Jahid
Interior Minister, Taji Mohammad Jahid, said that he believed Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) leader Gulbadin Hekmatyar would support the Afghan national forces. He further said that peace and stability in Afghanistan is in the interests of everyone. Pajhwok
Hekmatyar should be held Accountable for Past Actions: HRW
Patricia Gossman, a senior researcher of Human Rights Watch (HRW) in Afghanistan, said that Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, head of Hizb-e-Islami, should be held accountable for what he had done in the past, especially the deeds he committed during the civil war. He also sharply criticized Hekmatyar’s repeated remarks against the media and said the achievements of the past 15 years should be preserved. Hekmatyar, like other warlords, did not feel accountable for what he had done in the past. Tolonews
Afghan War being Financed from Abroad: Hekmatyar
The leader of Hizb-e-Islami, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, in an address to thousands of his supporter in Ghazi Stadium in Kabul, recalled his recent remarks about militants and said that the Afghan war is being financed from abroad. He stated that we should pay attention to this and we should accept it as a fact that every group had good and bad [figures] amongst them. Tolonews
Junbish Vows Larger Protest in Kabul
Supporters of Junbish-i-Milli party, led by First Vice-President Abdul Rashin Dostum, warned of staging protest in front of the Presidential Palace if their voice was not heard. They alleged that Ashraf Ghani waged conspiracies against Dostum soon after swearing-in. Instead of honoring Dostum, he insulted him and the millions of his supporters. Pajhwok
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
U.S Looking at ‘Adjustments’ to Afghanistan’s War Strategy
Theresa Whelan, acting assistant defense secretary for Special Operations of the United States (U.S) said in response to questions by the U.S Senate Committee on Armed Services that the Pentagon’s proposal to send more troops to Afghanistan would be sent to President Donald Trump within the next week. She further said that we were actually actively looking at adjustments to the approach in Afghanistan right now. I expect that these proposals would go to the president within next week. Tolonews
Leaders to Talk Troop Levels in Afghanistan: Stoltenberg
NATO secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, has said that the upcoming meeting of NATO leaders, including US President Donald Trump, will discuss issues like Afghanistan. He further said that we were fully committed to establish peace and stability in Afghanistan. Pajhwok
