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Afghanistan
Asadullah Khalid: Taliban Militants Still Operates From Pakistan
2020-11-18
[KhaamaPress] Defense Minister Asadullah Khalid on Tuesday’s Parliament meeting, that the Taliban
...mindless ferocity in a turban...
 still have operating bases in Quetta and Miranshah
... headquarters of al-Qaeda in Pakistain and likely location of Ayman al-Zawahiri. The Haqqani network has established a ministate in centered on the town with courts, tax offices and lots of madrassas...
, of Pakistain from where they operate and being sent to Afghanistan for conducting terrorist acts.

The Taliban still have bases in Pakistain, are being trained there and then sent to fight in Afghanistan, resided there and still, their maimed are receiving medical treatments, Defense Minister Assadullah Khalid told the House of Representatives today.

Khalid says, 96% of the military operations are under the supervision of Afghan cops, and four other remaining percentages are the supportive Arclight airstrike
...KABOOM!...
s by the international coalition forces.

In addition, talks with the Taliban in Qatar
...an emirate on the east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It sits on some really productive gas and oil deposits, which produces the highest per capita income in the world. They piss it all away on religion, financing the Moslem Brotherhood and several al-Qaeda affiliates. Home of nutbag holy manYusuf al-Qaradawi...
 had hampered the security forces’ achievements, else the Afghan defense forces would acquire further achievements on the battlefield.

He said the Taliban had used the Qatar office to held talks on peace and ceasefire, on the other hand, escalated their insurgency activities around the country, in view of the fact that security forces honor peace negotiations, they were ordered to take defensive positions.

This is while the cabinet ministers are presenting their plans to the Wolesi Jirga for a vote, and today, the Minister of National Defense, Asadullah Khalid, presented his plan, respectively.
Related:
Asadullah Khalid: 2020-09-13 Blast Rocks Wedding in Khost, Kills 4
Asadullah Khalid: 2020-08-25 Afghan Forces Capable of Fighting Terrorism: Khalid
Asadullah Khalid: 2020-07-24 Avg. 50 Security Incidents/Day Since US-Taliban Deal
Link


Afghanistan
Afghan Forces Display Capabilities in Major Military Exercise
2020-08-21
Photos at the link.
[ToloNews] The Afghan Air Force Special Operations Command and the ground forces of the Afghan National Army (ANA) on Thursday conducted a military exercise in Kabul to demonstrate their capabilities as the nation celebrates its 101st anniversary of independence.

Meanwhile,
...back at the Alamo, Davy was wondering if Buck was okay. He suspected he wasn't...
 the Afghan acting Minister of Defense Assadullah Khalid said that the Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANDSF) have the capability to suppress enemies of the country by conducting complex and sophisticated operations even in the most remote regions of the country.

In the exercise, the ANDSF forces displayed their capabilities using modern light and heavy weapons during the exercise.

President Ashraf Ghani
...former chancellor of Kabul University, now president of Afghanistan. Before returning to Afghanistan in 2002 he was a scholar of political science and anthropology. He worked at the World Bank working on international development assistance. As Finance Minister of Afghanistan between July 2002 and December 2004, he led Afghanistan's attempted economic recovery until the Karzais stole all the money...
 in a video message to the ANDSF commended the services of the nation and said that the ANDSF have offered major sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

President Ashraf Ghani said: "You fight at the front line against terrorism and it is because of your sacrifices that the invaders have been severely defeated each time."

"It was a demonstration of strength of the Afghan cops," said Assadullah Khalid, the acting Minister of Defense.

"We want the people of Afghanistan to know that they got this achievement and we will protect this achievement at any cost," said Hamdullah Mohib, the National Security Adviser.

"This is something that originated in reality and is demonstrated here," said Massoud Andarabi, the acting Minister of Interior.

According to the official statistics, there are 350,000 soldiers serving in the ranks of the Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANDSF).

The Afghan Air Force (AAF) has 206 military aircraft, including dozens of Blackhawk helicopters.

The US has pledged to deliver 159 Blackhawk helicopters to the Afghan forces until the end of the year.

The military exercise comes amid diplomatic efforts for a political settlement of the conflict in the country.

On Thursday, President Ashraf Ghani in a message to the ANDSF said that "all barriers and excuses have been removed" ahead of the intra-Afghan talks.

He also urged the Taliban
...mindless ferocity in a turban...
 to reduce violence and to be a part of the grinding of the peace processor, saying: "Peace with dignity and long-lasting peace will come."

However,
if you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning...
 the Afghan government has also stated that it will not continue releasing the rest of the high-value Taliban prisoners--thus opening the way for intra-Afghan talks--until the Taliban release Afghan pilots and commandos.
Related:
Afghan National Army: 2020-08-17 Afghan Forces Hold Military Exercise Along Durand Line
Afghan National Army: 2020-08-15 MoD to Probe Alleged ANA Mutilation of Taliban Corpses
Afghan National Army: 2020-08-14 Bodies of 3 Captured, Tortured, Executed ANA Soldiers Found
Link


Afghanistan
Released Taliban Prisoners Returned to the Battlefields: ONSC
2020-07-24
[ToloNews] In defiance of their commitments not to rejoin the war, a number of Taliban
...the Pashtun equivalent of men...
 prisoners who were released from the Afghan government jails have reintegrated their colleagues on the battlefields,
No, reeeeeaally?! Who woulda thunk it?
the Office of National Security Council (ONSC) said on Thursday as violence continue to expand in multiple fronts across the country despite international calls on the Taliban to reduce violence.

"The Taliban fighters signed on the papers and committed that they will not return to the war, regrettably some of these inmates have returned to the war fronts in defiance of the expectations of the Afghan people," said Jawed Faisal, a front man for the ONSC.

The Taliban however have rejected such reports.

Meanwhile,
...back at the abandoned silver mine, there was another explosion...
 some former Taliban commanders have urged the Afghan government to ensure the release of the remaining 600 Taliban prisoners from the total of 5,000 demanded by the group under the Doha peace agreement.

In the northern Jawzjan province, local officials have said that the Afghan cops have captured at least two Taliban prisoners who were released from the Bagram jail nine years ago.

The two Taliban fighters were arrested by the security forces after they were trying to stage attack on a convoy of the Afghan cops in the area, said the officials in Jawzjan.

"They confessed to have spent nine years in jail and released from the facility under an agreement and now operating as members of the Taliban in Chimtal district of Balkh. The two were gathering information on the security forces on Jawzjan-Balkh highway and wanted to ambush the convoy of the security forces, they were nabbed yesterday," said Maroof Azar, a front man for the Jawzjan governor in northern Afghanistan.

According to the Afghan intelligence agency—the National Directorate of Security
...the Afghan national intel agency...
 (NDS), the security forces also killed two Taliban operatives in Musahi district of Kabul last week and the two were released from the jails.

Afghan security officials have said that another key Taliban leader Qari Mustafa who was released from the jail 11 years ago has returned to the battlefield and serving as Taliban’s military commander in Dushi district of Baghlan.

"We have reports that Taliban members who released from the jails have returned to the war and they were killed, despite that, the process of prisoners release continue and this demonstrates our goodwill gestures for peace," said Assadullah Khalid, the Afghan acting Minister of Defense.

"The government is lying about this---from the president to the lower employees---the country is in blood---they (govt officials) say that we are at the meeting. 200 people are being killed in Afghanistan on daily basis, theya re all our sons," said Mawlavi Qalamuddin, a former Taliban official.

"The prisoners must be released before the Eid, we call on the Taliban to stop killing their brothers," said Mohammad Amin Weqad, a former Jihadi commander.

Under the US-Taliban peace deal which was signed in Doha, the Taliban demanded the release of their 5,000 inmates, the Afghan government has so far released 4245 prisoners from the jails.

In exchange the Taliban have released over 860 government hostages.
Link


Afghanistan
Taliban fighting gov’t forces in 14 provinces
2020-04-29
[ToloNews] Government figures reveal that at least 14 provinces have witnessed heavy battles between government forces and the Taliban
...Arabic for students...
 over the last few weeks. Figures collected by TOLOnews indicate that at least 150 security force members have bit the dust in Taliban attacks in recent weeks.

But acting Defense Minister Assadullah Khalid said the Taliban’s casualties have been "higher."

"The enemy’s casualties are many times higher, especially from the time when we are in 'active defensive,'" Khalid said. "We are committed to any voice on peace... We have respected the reduction in violence week but it was the Taliban who intensified violence following the reduction in violence week and increased their attacks."

Khalid reiterated that despite the Taliban's increased attacks, "our voice is the voice of peace and of ceasefire, especially to respect the Ramadan month and fight the COVID-19."

The Office of the National Security Council this weekend said the Taliban has conducted an average of 55 attacks per day since the signing of the peace deal with the United States in Doha on February 29.

The ONSC front man Javid Faisal at a presser said that the Taliban conducted 2,804 attacks from the beginning of March to April 19, adding the group "does not remain committed to the reconciliation process that will help the country to end decades of war."
Link


Afghanistan
No Decline in Enemy Attacks: MoD
2020-03-20
[ToloNews] The Afghan acting Minister of Defense Assadullah Khalid on Thursday said that there has been no decline in offensives by the enemy (Taliban
...Arabic for students...
), adding that the Afghan forces have been ordered to return to "active defense" position.

"There has been no reduction in the attacks of the enemy, today we ordered our forces to return to active defense position from defensive position," said Khalid.

This comes a day after the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, said the United States would like to see the prisoner release begin as soon as possible in line with the US-Taliban peace agreement.

"No prisoners have been released to date, despite the commitment to do so expressed by both sides," Khalilzad said in a series of tweets on Wednesday, as the Taliban press Washington to rapidly facilitate the prisoner release.

The statements come amid a political deadlock in the country following the election results between Ashraf Ghani
...former chancellor of Kabul University, now president of Afghanistan. Before returning to Afghanistan in 2002 he was a scholar of political science and anthropology. He worked at the World Bank working on international development assistance. As Finance Minister of Afghanistan between July 2002 and December 2004, he led Afghanistan's attempted economic recovery until the Karzais stole all the money...
 and Abdullah Abdullah
...the former foreign minister of the Northern Alliance government, advisor to Masood, and candidate for president against both Karzai and Ghani. Dr. Abdullah was born in Kabul and is half Tadjik and half Pashtun. He also held the meaningless salaried sop position as CEO of Afghanistan, while Ghani was president...
The US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice Wells in a tweet said on Wednesday that the Afghan leaders must prioritize and protect the unity of the nation, saying that "parallel Afghan governments are not the answer, and will be harmful to the Afghan people."

"Mr. Ghani’s demand is that he wants the elections to determine the credibility of the government while Dr. Abdullah insists that elections have been rigged and a new political agreement should determine the new government," said Saleh Mohammad Registani, a political analyst in Kabul.

"All negotiations and meetings are dominated by males, therefore, the main victim of the political instability will be the women of Afghanistan," said Fawzia Kofi, a former member of parliament.
Link


Afghanistan
Violence by Taliban Spikes Despite Peace Efforts
2020-03-14
[ToloNews] The Taliban
...Arabic for students...
 has conducted 95 attacks on Afghan forces outposts in 10 provinces over the past 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Defense (MoD), despite an expected reduction in violence from the group as part of a deal they signed with the United States on Feb. 29.

The incidents, according to the ministry, include offensives, rockets, shelling and roadside kaboom blasts in Kapisa, Laghman
...Afghan province with a population of about 445,600, which is multi-ethnic and mostly a rural society. During the invasions of Alexander the Great, the area was known as Lampaka, wich is apparently Olde Macedonian for Laghman.The city of Mihtarlam serves as the bucolic capital of the province. The population is half Pashtun, the remainder Tadjik and Pashai. It had a repution for great wealth until it was conquered in the tenth century by Abu Mansur Sabuktigin.
He conquered it and set fire to the places in its vicinity which were inhabited by infidels, and demolishing the idol-temples, he established Islam in them, He marched and captured other cities and killed the polluted wretches, destroying the idolatrous and gratifying the Musulmans. After wounding and killing beyond all measure, his hands and those of his friends became cold in counting the value of the plundered property.
After that it was mostly notable for the production of dirt, rocks, and holy men...
, Kunar, Balkh, Helmand
...an Afghan province populated mostly by Pashtuns, adjacent to Injun country in Pak Balochistan...
, Faryab, Badakhshan, Kunduz, Wardak and Pashtun-infested Logar.

Last week, acting Defense Minister Assadullah Khalid warned that the Afghan Defense and Security Forces will be no longer be in a defensive mode after Saturday, March 14, referring to the ANDSF response to the increase in Taliban attacks.
Link


Afghanistan
ANDSF to End Defensive Stance: Khalid
2020-03-09
Gooooooooo get ‘em!
[ToloNews] Acting Defense Minister Assadullah Khalid on Sunday said the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) will end their defensive stance by the end of this week, criticizing the Taliban
...Arabic for students...
 for "breaching" their commitments during the reduction in violence period.

Khalid, who appeared in a recorded video with the acting Minister of Interior Gen. Massoud Andarabi and the acting head of the National Directorate of Security
...the Afghan national intel agency...
 Ahmad Zia Saraj, said Afghan forces have given sacrifices in Taliban attacks during reduction in violence.

Figures by the Afghan government show that 22 security force members and nine non-combatants were killed in security incidents, mostly Taliban attacks, in 12 provinces during the weeklong reduction in violence from February 21 to February 28.

"Up until this moment that I am speaking, Afghan forces have been in defense mode respecting the (US-Taliban) deal and following the president’s decree... We will stay in defense mode until the end of this week, otherwise, we will chase the enemy anywhere in any hideout they are," Khalid said. "The current status (of the Taliban) is not acceptable to Afghan cops."

Khalid said the plan was to end the reduction in violence with a ceasefire but the Taliban "did not abide by the agreement" by continuing their attacks.

"Regrettably, the reduction in violence week, we could not reach a ceasefire and the enemy continued their attacks in different parts of the country in which there were military and civilian casualties," he said.

Figures show that during reduction in violence week, Kandahar, Kabul, Helmand
...an Afghan province populated mostly by Pashtuns, adjacent to Injun country in Pak Balochistan...
, Uruzgan, Balkh, Kapisa, Samangan, Farah, Ghazni, Pashtun-infested Logar and Laghman
...Afghan province with a population of about 445,600, which is multi-ethnic and mostly a rural society. During the invasions of Alexander the Great, the area was known as Lampaka, wich is apparently Olde Macedonian for Laghman.The city of Mihtarlam serves as the bucolic capital of the province. The population is half Pashtun, the remainder Tadjik and Pashai. It had a repution for great wealth until it was conquered in the tenth century by Abu Mansur Sabuktigin.
He conquered it and set fire to the places in its vicinity which were inhabited by infidels, and demolishing the idol-temples, he established Islam in them, He marched and captured other cities and killed the polluted wretches, destroying the idolatrous and gratifying the Musulmans. After wounding and killing beyond all measure, his hands and those of his friends became cold in counting the value of the plundered property.
After that it was mostly notable for the production of dirt, rocks, and holy men...
 provinces faced security incidents.

According to a TOLOnews hotline, the highest number of security incidents during the reduction in violence week was eight in a day, while the lowest was two.

At the end of the reduction in violence week, the US and the Taliban signed an agreement in Doha, Qatar
...an emirate on the east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It sits on some really productive gas and oil deposits, which produces the highest per capita income in the world. They piss it all away on religion, financing the Moslem Brotherhood and several al-Qaeda affiliates. Home of nutbag holy manYusuf al-Qaradawi...
, on February 29 while a joint Afghan-US declaration was announced in Kabul on the same day. Based on these two documents, the intra-Afghan talks should begin on March 10.
Link


Afghanistan
8 Taliban Clashes Reported on First Day of Reduced Violence Pact
2020-02-23
[ToloNews] The Taliban
...the Pashtun equivalent of men...
 fought with Afghan cops in eight provinces of the country in the first day of the reduction in violence plan, according to reports sent by the public to TOLOnews.

The festivities were reported in Faryab, Uruzgan, Paktia, Balkh, Baghlan, Badghis, Helmand
...an Afghan province populated mostly by Pashtuns, adjacent to Injun country in Pak Balochistan...
 and Kapisa provinces.

With the start of the reduction in violence, TOLOnews asked the public across the country to text information about attacks to a WhatsApp number. 400 people sent messages, and many of them simply expressed support for the reduction in violence. However,
facts are stubborn; statistics are more pliable...
 messages also came in reporting festivities between the Taliban and the Afghan cops in eight provinces of the country.

Meanwhile,
...back at the shootout, another bullet hole appeared in Butch's hat......
 the Afghan acting Minister of Defense Assadullah Khalid confirmed that in the first 12 hours since the reduction in violence was in effect, the Taliban launched some attacks in various regions, and the Afghan forces defended themselves against those attacks.

"Violence has declined significantly. Only a few minor attacks were reported in some areas that are not serious," said Khalid.

The Taliban’s front man Zabihullah Mujahid on Twitter stated that the reduction in violence agreement places the following areas off limits: "The centers of all provinces, all corps (Afghan military corps), units, divisions (Afghan army divisions) and all foreign bases." In areas not on this list, Mujahid said, "any shelling and attacks by the (Taliban fighters) shouldn’t be taken as a violation, because this is not a nationwide ceasefire."

Details are not available about any casualties from the attacks today.

"When the two sides are still armed, there is a need for more caution, because even a small provocation by a commander or a soldier can affect the entire process," said military analyst Atiqullah Amarkhel.

This comes a day after the NATO
...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A collection of multinational and multilingual and multicultural armed forces, all of differing capabilities, working toward a common goal by pulling in different directions...
 Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the announcement by the United States and Taliban about a reduction in violence.

He said that this is a critical test of the Taliban’s willingness and ability to reduce violence, and contribute to peace in good faith.

"This could pave the way for negotiations among Afghans, sustainable peace, and ensuring the country is never again a safe haven for terrorists," he said.

What is the reduction in violence agreement?

At 12:00 midnight (Afghan time) on Friday, Feb. 21 (the morning of Saturday, Feb. 22), a reduction in violence plan kicked off that is intended to last for seven days. Upon its successful completion, according to statements by the US and Taliban, a peace deal negotiated between the two sides over the past 18 months in Doha, will be signed. The expectation is that this signed agreement will lead to intra-Aghan talks between the Taliban on one side, and a delegation representing the Afghan republic's government and political and civil establishment, on the other.
Link


Afghanistan
Afghan forces freed 62 army prisoners, breaking a Taliban prison in Badghis
2020-01-31
[KhaamaPress] Afghan Security Forces freed at least 62 armies from a Taliban custody in Bala Murghab district of Badghis province, MOD said in a statement.

A statement published by the Ministry of Defence said Afghan commandos in an operation broke a Taliban prison in Bala Murghab district of Badghis as a result of which they freed at least 62 prisoners who were members of Afghan Security Forces.

The statement further added that 55 National Army members, 4 commando soldiers, 2 border forces and 1 policeman were imprisoned by the Taliban in Badghis.

“5 Taliban militants were detained and many others were injured as a result of this operation”, the statement added.

According to the statement, Assadullah Khalid, the Acting Defense Minister has congratulated this achievement to the people of Afghanistan and to the National Security Forces.

The security forces members freed from the Taliban prison assured to rejoin the army and fight the insurgency and enemies, the statement said.
Related:
Bala Murghab district: 2019-09-22 Taliban militants suffer heavy casualties in Kandahar, Ghazni ad Badghis airstrikes
Bala Murghab district: 2019-07-25 Combat airdrop by Afghan Air Force helps Commandos maintain pressure on Taliban in Badghis
Bala Murghab district: 2019-07-05 Airstrike kills 8 Taliban militants in Bala Murghab district of Badghis province
Related:
Badghis: 2020-01-15 Seven Taliban Insurgents Join Peace Process
Badghis: 2019-11-15 Badghis: District With Mined Roads Faces Food Shortage Crisis
Badghis: 2019-11-06 30 Percent of Telecom Services Are Down in Afghanistan: ATRA
Link


Afghanistan
US Plan: Decreases Black Hawks, Adds Chinooks for Afghan Forces The US Department of Defense approved a plan released on December 2019
2020-01-31
[ToloNews] The US Department of Defense approved a plan released on December 2019 entitled Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan. Among other things, the plan allocates aircraft to be supplied to Afghan forces over the next several years. There were some changes in the current report from earlier commitments, specifically with the reduction of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and the addition of Chinook helicopters.

Originally the US military had pledged to provide Afghan forces 159 Black Hawks, but in the recent report, that number is now 53.

According to the report, the US military also cut the number of armed fixed-wing AC-208 attack and reconnaissance aircraft from 32 down to 10. AC-208 Eliminator gunships ‐ which made their debut in Kabul in February 2019 ‐are armed with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, or APKWS rockets.

"These reductions were made on the basis of a review of future operational requirements," the report reads.

On the other hand, the report also mentioned that an unspecified number of CH-47 Chinooks would be added to the Afghan force, specifically to aid the Afghan Special Mission Wing (SMW) and to fully replace its Mi-17 fleet by the end of 2023. UH-60 Black Hawks were also intended to release the Mi-17, according to the report.

However,
some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them...
 the report noted that "SMW misuse" remains a concern, defining misuse as: "Tasking the SMW to conduct operations...tasked from influential figures outside of the established tasking process."

"The war is a guerrilla war, if there is a powerful helicopter unit where there would be 40 to 44 helicopters, believe me, it will cover all of Afghanistan," said military analyst Atiqullah Amarkhel.

"We will have US-made aircraft very soon, there is work going on for this purpose," said Assadullah Khalid, the acting Minister of Defense.
Link


Afghanistan
Gen. Millar met Gen. Dostum, discussed security and election
2019-12-03
[Khaama] General Scott Millar, the commander of US and Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, together with Assadullah Khalid, the acting Defense Minister of Afghanistan travelled to the northern Jawzjan province on Monday to meet Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum, the first deputy of National Unity Government and the head of Junbish political party and have discussed the security and election issues, sources confirmed.

Controversial statements about this visit have been reported by the news wire services and some political experts believe the government had specific messages to Gen. Dostum through this security delegation.

Assadullah Khalid had a message from the government to General Abdul Rashid Dostum saying to help in stopping the demonstrations and to reopening IEC offices in the northern provinces, a source told Khaama Press.

Bashir Ahmad Tayanj, the ex-parliamentarian speaking with Khaama Press confirmed that election issues have been discussed at the margin of the meeting.

"The main purpose of this visit was to discuss the security issues of northern provinces, however, the elections issues have also been discussed at the margin, Tayanj told Khaama Press.
Link


Afghanistan
260 Security Incidents Reported On Election Day: Security Sources
2019-09-30
[ToloNews] The Afghan government had deployed over 72,000 security force members to provide security for the election process.

Over 260 security incidents were reported during Saturday’s presidential election, security sources said, saying that 90 of the incidents directly targeted the polling centers.

These sources told TOLOnews that over 20 coppers and nine non-combatants were killed as a result of these incidents, while 37 coppers and 70 civilians were maimed.

The Afghan government had deployed over 72,000 security force members to provide security for the election process.

"We thwarted the majority of the enemies’ plans so they were not able to disrupt the election process. The Afghan people should be proud of their officers who stood up against them," said Hassan Hairan, an officer of Kabul Garrison.

"The Afghan people managed to go to the polling stations and vote for their favorite candidates," said Nangyalai, an Afghan military officer.

"After the completion of the election process, we will expand our clearance operations so that our people can live in a peaceful environment," said acting defense minister Assadullah Khalid.

The Kabul police reported that at least 11 security incidents occurred in Kabul, during which ten people were maimed.
Link



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