Tag: Afghan Crisis

The Taliban, which seized Kabul on August 15 after sweeping across most of the country, have faced resistance in the Panjshir Valley, north of the capital, with reports of heavy fighting and casualties.

The Chinese reaction summarised Beijing's elation at the US withdrawal from its neighbourhood. Beijing has long sought to assert its dominance in Central Asia, and with Russia, it has been shaping the regional dynamics through the Shanghai Central Organization (SCO).

The return of the Taliban in Afghanistan has stoked much fear and dejection among all amid the conclusion of withdrawal operations of military troops, as well as civilian evacuation.

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan, the resolution "condemns in the strongest terms the deplorable attacks" of August 26 near the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul for which the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, an entity affiliated with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da'esh), claimed responsibility and which resulted in deaths and injuries of over 300 civilians and 28 military personnel. The UNSC resolution took note of the Taliban's condemnation of the attack.

The president said he has asked the Secretary of State to lead the continued coordination with US international partners to ensure safe passage for any Americans, Afghan partners and foreign nationals who want to leave Afghanistan.

"If Afghanistan is left alone, that would be a disaster for everyone," he said, stressing the need for remaining engaged with a country that has been at war for the last four decades.

Prior to that, Mullah Abdulghani Baradar, the co-founder of Taliban and head of Taliban's political office in Doha, had also landed in Kandahar province before coming to Kabul along with a delegation.

The US is assessing the possibilities of civilian casualties, though it has no indications at this time. We remain vigilant for potential future threats, Urban said in a statement.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh noted that looking at the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, every country is forced to rethink its strategy. "Quad was established keeping in mind these situations," he said. Quad, or officially the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, brings together the US, Australia, India, and Japan.

According to the BBC, images posted on social media show black clouds of smoke rising into the air and an official has confirmed that a blast has occurred in the area.

The IS-K, a local affiliate of the Islamic State terror group in Afghanistan, had claimed responsibility for the attack.

President Joe Biden has set August 31 as the deadline to end US military mission in Afghanistan.

The western media, based on Pentagon briefings, is claiming that nearly a hundred evacuees could be on intelligence watchlists as suspected terrorists, with possible ties to ISIS.

As for the bombers and gunmen involved, he said, "We have some reason to believe we know who they are ... not certain. He said he had instructed military commanders to develop plans to strike IS assets, leadership and facilities.

US Central Command commander Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr has confirmed that 12 American service members have been killed and 15 injured in two suicide bombings.