Recent Appearances...

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Recent Appearances...

Afghanistan

Panjshir Officials Confirms Detentions of 'Suspected' Civilians

2022-08-25

[T9loNews] Local officials in Panjshir confirmed that some suspected civilians were detained by the Islamic Emirate, and many of them have been released.

A video went viral on social media that showed Islamic Emirate forces detaining individuals who appeared to be civilians.

However,
the way to a man's heart remains through his stomach...
TOLOnews cannot confirm the exact time the video was made.

"A lot of them have been freed after investigations. Two, three or four of them who remained--their cases are under investigation," said Abubakar Sediqqi, a front man for Panjshir.

This comes as human rights
...which often include carefully measured allowances of freedom at the convenience of the state...
~~activist ~~muppet~~~~s expressed concerns, saying that these actions will create distance between the Islamic Emirate and citizens.’

"The international law has some rules for war and peace. One of the rules ... is to protect civilians," said Farah Mustafavi, a human rights defender.

"Whenever the government takes irresponsible actions, it causes the people to act coldly toward the government," said Ghulam Sakhi Ihsani, a university instructor.

Earlier, the Human Rights Watch in a report expressed concerns over the "arbitrary detentions" by the Islamic Emirate.

Link

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate’s Leader Calls for Implementation of Sharia

2022-07-29

A signal that the next turning of the screw is imminent.

[ToloNews] Islamic Emirate front man Zabiullah Mujahid said in a statement that the leader of the Islamic Emirate, Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, held a gathering with the provincial governors in Kandahar.

Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada stressed the need to preserve Islamic values, according to the statement.

Mawalawi Hibatullah called for the implementation of Sharia law, saying that the laws which are made by humans are not acceptable and that every problem should be solved by Sharia.

"Over the past 20 years, there have been a lot of anti-Shari and Islam rhetoric and laws which are made by the people is not implementable," he was quoted in the statement.

Analysts say that the implementation of other laws is important in addition to Sharia.

"The laws should be implemented so as not to be against and in contrast with Sharia, so if it is something like this, that is an Islamic law," said Ghulam Sakhi Ihsani, university instructor.

A part of the statement said that all rights based on Sharia must be provided to women and also the previous decree of the supreme leader which had six articles must be implemented

Link

Afghanistan

Hundreds Take Up Arms Across Afghanistan in Support of ANDSF

2021-06-26

Yesterday it was Samangan and Kapisa, today ten more.

[ToloNews] Hundreds of people, many of them armed, on Friday poured into streets in 10 provinces of the country to raise their voice in support of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), announcing their preparation to fight the Taliban
Taliban

...mindless ferocity in a turban...
Those who rallied on streets said they will not allow the Taliban to take over their villages.

In northern Takhar province, a number of women went to the frontline where they distributed food and fruits to the security forces who are battling the Taliban in the area.

"It will be good if we Afghans sit together instead of killing each other," said Mohammad Asher Arab, a tribal elder from Takhar.

"As well as in Farkhar district, the security forces in cooperation with the people dealt major blow to the enemy," Takhar Police Chief Ekramuddin Sari said.

The northern province of Sar-e-Pul
...a city and eponymous province in northern Afghanistan, population about 500,000. Demographically it is majority Tadjik and Uzbek. There are small Pashtun, Arab, and Hazara communities, of which the Hazaras mostly don't bother anyone...
is one of the provinces where the Taliban has taken over several districts. Many residents of the province have taken up arms to fight the Taliban.

"We are taking up arms to mobilize the second generation of resistance to fight against the dark regime of the Taliban, so we will defend until the last drop of our blood," said Ghulam Sakhi, a resident in Ghor province.

"We will wait until next week. If the lost territory is not retaken by the security forces, we will act on our own," said Mohammad Noor Rahmani, the head of Ghor provincial council.

In Khost province
... across the border from Miranshah, within commuting distance of Haqqani hangouts such as Datta Khel and probably within sight of Mordor. Khost is populated by six different tribes of Pashtuns, the largest probably being the Khostwal, from which it takes its name...
, dozens of residents have taken up arms to fight the Taliban.

At least 200 residents of Zabul led by governor Hamidullah Tokhi have taken up arms for the fight against the Taliban, local officials said.

Moreover, some influential political figures have mobilized hundreds of gunnies to support the Afghan forces on the battlefields.

"No one should think that with these takeovers, the Taliban has been equipped and will transfer the tanks to Punjab," Deputy Minister of Interior Naqibullah Fayeq, who has traveled to Baghlan, said.

Link

Afghanistan

1.4M Afghans Returned From Iran in Past 18 Months: Ministry

2021-06-11

[ToloNews] Afghanistan’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation on Thursday said that 1.4 Afghan refugees have returned to the country from Iran
Iran

...a theocratic Shiite state divided among the Medes, the Persians, and the (Arab) Elamites. Formerly a fairly civilized nation ruled by a Shah, it became a victim of Islamic revolution in 1979. The nation is today noted for spontaneously taking over other countries' embassies, maintaining whorehouses run by clergymen, involvement in international drug trafficking, and financing sock puppet militias to extend the regime's influence. The word Iran is a cognate form of Aryan. The abbreviation IRGC is the same idea as Stürmabteilung (or SA). The term Supreme Guide is a the modern version form of either Duce or Führer or maybe both. They hate ~~Jews~~ ~~Zionists~~ Jews. Their economy is based on the production of oil and vitriol...
in the past 18 months.

Authorities at the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said that the majority of the returnees were expelled by the Iranian police.

Statistics indicate that each day three to four thousand Afghans return from Iran through the Islam Qala border in Herat
...a venerable old Persian-speaking city in western Afghanistan, populated mostly by Tadjiks, which is why it's not as blood-soaked as areas controlled by Pashtuns...
"There is unemployment and misery in Iran. Iranian police expel (Afghans). Iranian authorities do not help those Afghans who are sick or have other problems, Afghans face lots of issues there," said Ismail, a returnee.

"In 2020 we recorded 890,000 returnees from all countries, but the majority had returned from Iran. In 2021, we recorded the return of 490,000 people exclusively from Iran," said Abdul Basit Ansari, a front man for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation.

"I was sick and hardly managed to find a pack of medicine. They were not giving us sufficient food at camps," said Sahar Gul, an Afghan who has returned from Iran.

Murtaza is another returnee who was expelled along with her six-year-old child. Three other members of her family were also expelled recently.

"All Afghans go to Iran to find a job, if there is peace in our country, the people will live in peace and comfort, but all people move abroad because of unemployment," said Murtaza.

"In 2020 we recorded 890,000 returnees from all countries, but the majority had returned from Iran. In 2021, we recorded the return of 490,000 people exclusively from Iran," said Abdul Basit Ansari, a front man for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation.

"Fighting is underway in Shindand district, 4000 families were recently displaced from the area, no NGO or government supported us, no one takes care of our problems," said Ghulam Sakhi, a resident in Herat.

"We escaped due to war, it is now 40 years that the country has been at war, we do not want further war, we call on the warring sides to not oppress the people further," said Abdul Latif, a resident in the Adraskan district of Herat.

Link

Afghanistan

Senators Seek Thorough Probe Into Kabul Fire That Killed 9 People

2021-05-03

[ToloNews] Senators on Sunday raised questions over recent fires in Kabul, Farah and Herat
...a venerable old Persian-speaking city in western Afghanistan, populated mostly by Tadjiks, which is why it's not as blood-soaked as areas controlled by Pashtuns...
province that mainly targeted fuel imports, saying there are "some hands behind such incidents" that seek to harm the country’s economy.

The Ministry of Interior Affairs said that nine people were killed and 14 more were maimed in the major fire at a tanker truck station in the Qala-e-Murad Bek area north of Kabul along the key highway that connects the capital city with northern provinces.

At least 60 vehicles, including fuel tanker trucks as well as trucks carrying food and other goods, were completely damaged in the fire that started around 9:00 pm on Saturday.

The Chamber of Trade and Investment said an investigation into the incident has begun, but added that the use of a magnetic bomb is one of the possible reasons for the massive fire.

The chamber estimates the losses of the fire at around $20 million.

The Kabul fire was the fourth in less than three months, following a major fire at Herat customs office and two more at a border town in Farah that shares a border with Iran.

The Kabul fire was the fourth in less than three months, following a major fire at Herat customs office and two more at a border town in Farah that shares a border with Iran.

"Such incidents need a thorough probe to determine whether it was an enemy action," said Mohammad Khan, a senator.

Senators said that one of the reasons can be a lack of attention by government officials in the proper management of the country’s border towns, ports and customs.

"A fire happened at Kabul gate. All these incidents must be probed thoroughly," Senate Speaker Fazl Hadi Moslemyar said.

Following the major fire at the border town of Islam Qala in mid-February, the government vowed to make public its findings on the incident, particularly on how it happened. But senators said the report has not been made public so far.

"There is no one responsible. The culture of impunity has expanded more than in the past," Deputy Senate Speaker Mohammad Alam Ezedyar said.

Eyewitnesses said the fire spread rapidly after it broke out as the fuel tankers were parked very close to each other.

"They went kaboom! one after another in five seconds," said Ghulam Nabi, a fuel truck owner who says his vehicle was burned in the fire.

Other tanker truck owners said they are fed up with the government checkpoints along their way to Kabul as they are stopped for several hours each time they reach the entrance gates of the capital city.

"We were allowed to move at 12:30 pm but we were stopped by the checkpoint. We are devastated," said Najibullah, a truck owner.

"I was asked to give 300 Afs to move. Is it the government?" asked Ghulam Sakhi, owner of a fuel tanker.

Kabul governor Yaqub Haidari said that those who have stopped the vehicles and have made the parking where the fuel tankers were parked should be responsible.

"On what decision was this parking made?" he asked.

Home, Vehicle Owners Protest Over Kabul Fire Damages

[ToloNews] A massive fire that began with a tanker truck carrying fuel in the Shakar Dara district of Kabul along the highway connecting the capital with northern provinces has inflicted heavy damage to vehicles and nearby houses as residents described.

This led to a protest by residents of the area who closed the highway to traffic for many hours on Sunday.

The fire first erupted in a tanker truck that was parked among dozens of others in a line waiting to enter Kabul.

Owners of the fuel tanker trucks said they are often stopped like this by security forces and officials before they enter Kabul. They said it has been one of their main concerns for a long time.

Unconfirmed figures by the residents show that at least 100 houses were damaged in the Qala-e-Murad Bek area. A restaurant, a fuel station, many shops and many vehicles that were passing through have been damaged in the fire.

Unconfirmed figures show that dozens of tanker trucks were burned in the fire.

"We suggested many times to transfer the checkpoint from here, but no one heard our voice, including in the Shakardara district governor’s office," said Jamshid, a resident of Qala-e-Murad Bek.

Other residents said that the government has failed to build a parking slot for the fuel tankers to ensure their safety. Now trucks park in a line near the entrance gate of Kabul.

"This is not a proper place because there are many residential houses around. The (Kabul) governor issued orders many times, but they were not implemented," Shakardara district governor Gawhar Khan Baburi said.

Trucks carrying goods also park near the entrance gate leading into Kabul.

Link

Afghanistan

Balkh Hospital Remains Closed Due to ‘Taliban Threat’: Official

2021-01-02

[ToloNews] A 50-bed hospital in Dawlat Abad district in the northern province of Balkh has remained closed for over a month due to "threats by the Taliban
Taliban

...mindless ferocity in a turban...
," an official said, adding that the group has threatened health officials to avoid going to the center unless security outposts nearby are removed.

Ghawsuddin Anwari, the acting head of the Balkh health directorate, said all doctors and health workers have not gone to the hospital since Nov. 21, 2020.

"A notice came from the Taliban in November in which they had asked the employees not to go to the hospital until security forces leave (the areas around) the hospital," Anwari said.

Some Dawlat Abad district residents who have traveled to Mazar-e-Sharif city for treatment due to the closure of the hospital in their area said the issue has faced them with many problems, including high expenses of traveling to the center of the province.

"There isn’t any hospital in Dawlat Abad. We brought our patient here (Mazar-e-Sharif) with many hardships," said Zalmay, a resident of Dawlat Abad.

"We are faced with many problems. We pay Afs3,000 ($38) to 4,000 ($51) to travel to Mazar-e-Sharif," said Ghulam Sakhi, 45, a resident of Dawlat Abad.

The provincial office of Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission said the use of public places as a military target is not acceptable and is in contravention of international laws.

"Use of public places like mosques, schools and cultural sites in conflicts as a shield is not allowed," said Sayed Mohammad Same, head of the commission in the north.

Balkh police said the security outposts located near the Dawlat Abad hospital have been removed.

"There was a place behind the hospital where security forces went for operations as it was suitable for this purpose. The Balkh police leadership held talks with defense forces and agreed to leave the area temporarily," Balkh police front man Adil Shah Adil said.

Link

Afghanistan

Taliban Shot Local Imam Dead in Farah: Officials

2020-12-15

[KhaamaPress] Mawlawi Ghulam Sakhi, an Imam in Lash Juwayn district of Farah, was "shot and killed by the Taliban
Taliban

...mindless ferocity in a turban...
" in capital of the province Sunday night, local officials confirmed on Monday.

The incident occurred in Farah city, capital of the province after he had finished evening prayers, according to local officials.

The officials did not provide further details on motivation behind the murder, but claims the Taliban are involved.

No group or individual, including the Taliban, have commented on the claim immediately.

Link

Afghanistan

Herat Businessmen Call for Security after Kidnapping Incidents

2020-10-15

[ToloNews] After the strike by the Herat
...a venerable old Persian-speaking city in western Afghanistan, populated mostly by Tadjiks, which is why it's not as blood-soaked as areas controlled by Pashtuns...
money exchangers union over the kidnapping of a businessman, the union of gold sellers and jewelers on Wednesday also went on strike to protest the recent episodes of kidnappings of businessmen.

The business community in Herat has said that the armed robbers and kidnappers are threatening their businesses and they accuse the security agencies of not taking solid actions in response.

Meanwhile,
...back at the the conspirators' cleverly concealed hideout the long-awaited message arrived. They quickly got to work with their decoder rings...
security forces in Herat managed to rescue a businessman who was kidnapped two days ago.

Security officials in Herat have said that they have arrested 8 suspects in connection with the kidnapping.

"Kidnappers asked for one million dollars ransom," said Mohammad Ismail, a businessman who was recovered by the security forces.

"The people are tired of armed robberies, kidnapping and assassinations. What people want is security in Herat," said Bahauddin Rahimi, the head of the Herat Money Exchangers Union.

"Since the start of the new year, 7 jewelers were kidnapped and two jewelers were killed, one jeweler is still with the kidnappers, the kidnappers have asked for $800,000, but the government has done nothing so far," said Abdul Ahad, the head of Herat's jewelers' union.

"Our expectation from the central government, the governor of Herat and police chief is to ensure the security of people’s lives and property. There is the presence of illegal gunnies inside the city," said Esmatullah, a jeweler in Herat.

"We will continue our protests unless they come up with an alternative to this. There is need for security," said Ghulam Sakhi Haidari, a jeweler in Herat.

What does the government in Herat say?

"We do not see any difference between armed robberies and kidnapping, in both cases, they want ransoms, over the past three months, from 5 criminal networks, we have dismantled three networks," said Sayed Wahid Qatali, the governor of Herat.

Police in Herat said that only 8 people have been kidnapped in Herat since the start of the year, but the business community in Herat says that nine money exchangers and 7 jewelers were kidnapped in the past six months.

Link

Afghanistan

'17 Villages Cleared of Taliban' in Balkh: Police

2020-04-30

[ToloNews] Police in the northern province of Balkh on Wednesday said that Afghan forces undertook an anti-Taliban
Taliban

...Arabic for students...
operation--named Shaheen-611--in four districts over the past two weeks, and stated that Afghan forces have cleared 17 villages of Taliban in Balkh’s Sholgara district.

"5 government troops and 12 Taliban fighters" have been killed in the operation, said Adil Shah Adil, a front man for Balkh police.

He said that 7 security force members and 5 Taliban fighters were maimed in the attack.

Dalan is one of the villages in Sholgara which saw some of the fiercest battles, according to police.

"The Taliban launched attacks in the Dalan area and killed at least 9 youth of the country," said Ghulam Sakhi Lala, a member of the Balkh provincial council.

"From this area (Dalan), they (insurgents) can move towards Chahar Kint district, they can go towards Samangan which connects the entire province," said Zulfiqar Nazari, a member of the public uprising force.

"The Taliban launched attacks, the people escaped--they fled towards Mazar and other remote districts," said Mohammad, a resident in Chahar Kint.

Over the past few weeks, fighting has dramatically increased between Afghan forces and the Taliban in Chahar Kint, Sholgara and Chimtal districts of Balkh.

Fighting also rages in the northern provinces of Faryab, Sar-e-pul, Jawzjan and Samangan.

In a recent battle occurring in Dara-e-Suf district of Samangan, 9 non-combatants were killed and seven others were maimed.

Link

Afghanistan

Herat's restored synagogues reveal Afghanistan's Jewish past

2020-02-09

If we build it, surely all those rich Jewish tourists will come and give us lots of money, just like they will do in Egypt now that the big synagogue in Alexandria is renovated.

[Aljazeera] Locals back government efforts to preserve heritage sites in Herat - once a hub for a vibrant Jewish community.

Herat, Afghanistan - The narrow road that leads to the Yu Aw synagogue in the ancient city of Herat in western Afghanistan is lined with traditional mud homes that, despite their rough exterior, are fine examples of centuries-old architectural dexterity.

Ghulam Sakhi, the caretaker of some of the heritage sites, leads the way, taking short quick steps and pausing every so often to share an anecdote from the area's history.

"This is why I wanted you to walk to the synagogue, so you can see the neighbourhood and how it has been changed since the war," he explained before starting the walk of a little over a kilometre between the old city centre - called Chahar Su, or Four Directions - and the synagogue, which was restored in 2009.

Link

Afghanistan

Taliban militants loot Gosfandi district in Sar-e-Pul province, snatch 100 sheep from local residents

2019-04-15

[KhaamaPress] The local authorities in northern Sar-e-Pul

...a city and eponymous province in northern Afghanistan, population about 500,000. Demographically it is majority Tadjik and Uzbek. There are small Pashtun, Arab, and Hazara

...a grouping of Dari-speaking people of Sino-Tibetan descent inhabiting Afghanistan and Pakistain. They are predominantly Shia Moslems and not particularly warlike, which makes them favored targets...
communities, of which the Hazaras mostly don't bother anyone...
province have confirmed that Talibs have looted nearly 100 sheep from the residents of Gosfandi district after they were forced to retreat from the district following a clash with the security forces.

District administrative chief Ghulam Sakhi Wira said the Talibs launched a coordinated attack on security outposts in Gosfandi district late on Saturday night.

Wira further added that Talibs faced resistance from the security forces and were forced to retreat after several hours of clash.

He also added that the Talibs looted around 100 sheep from the local residents after facing defeat at the hands of security forces.

The anti-government armed turbans including Taliban
...mindless ferocity in a turban...
have not commented regarding the clash so far.

Link

Afghanistan

Prominent Taliban leader killed in Herat drone strike

2018-12-18

[Khaama (Afghanistan)] A prominent leader of Taliban
...Arabic for students...
group has been killed in a dronezap carried out in western Herat
...a venerable old Persian-speaking city in western Afghanistan, populated mostly by Tadjiks, which is why it's not as blood-soaked as areas controlled by Pashtuns...
province of Afghanistan, the local officials said.

Provincial governor’s front man Jilani Farhad confirmed the ~~Arclight~~ airstrike

and said a prominent Taliban leader identified as Mullah Ghulam Sakhi was killed in the airstrike which was carried out in Farsi district.

Farhad further added that Mullah Sakhi was the shadow education director of Taliban in Herat and was also involved in other activities including intelligence related operations in Shindand and other districts of the province.

According to Farhad, Mullah Sakhi was also appointed as Taliban’s shadow district chief for Farsi district of Herat provnce.

At least four ~~lovers~~ accomplices of Mullah Sakhi were also killed in the same airstrike, the provincial governor’s front man added.

The anti-government armed krazed killer groups including Talibs have not commented regarding the report so far.

Herat has been among the relatively calm provinces in West of Afghanistan but the Talibs are active in some of its remote districts and often attempt to carryout terrorist related activities.

Link

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