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Afghan government to free up to 10,000 prisoners to slow spread of coronavirus

2020-03-27

| Health
Afghan government to free up to 10,000 prisoners to slow spread of coronavirus

The government decree is not for those who have committed crimes against national and international security.
Coronavirus pandemic exposes Taliban hypocrisies on health care

2020-03-27

| Terrorism
Coronavirus pandemic exposes Taliban hypocrisies on health care

The militant group is attempting during the deadly COVID-19 outbreak to paint itself as an organisation that care about public health. Decades of evidence suggests otherwise.
Afghan government to hold direct talks with Taliban in historic meeting

2020-03-26

| Diplomacy
Afghan government to hold direct talks with Taliban in historic meeting

The Afghan government finalised a negotiating team to discuss peace with the Taliban and an initial release of insurgent prisoners.
G7 members slam China over coronavirus disinformation campaign

2020-03-26

| Media
G7 members slam China over coronavirus disinformation campaign

Beijing continues to spread conspiracy theories on social media and is now attempting to appear to the world as a benevolent power with no responsibility for the COVID-19 outbreak.
Afghan official confirms expulsion of Iranian spies from Kabul

2020-03-26

| Diplomacy
Afghan official confirms expulsion of Iranian spies from Kabul

The two individuals were members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who were engaged in various activity with the intent of causing instability in the country.
Afghan female filmmaker basks in role as voice of women's empowerment

2020-03-25

| Women's Rights
Afghan female filmmaker basks in role as voice of women's empowerment

Roya Sadat fears a return to fundamentalism and the curbing of women's rights should the Taliban regain power.
'Diabolical' ISIS attack kills dozens at Sikh-Hindu temple in Kabul

2020-03-25

| Security
'Diabolical' ISIS attack kills dozens at Sikh-Hindu temple in Kabul

Over 100 people were inside the temple, where several families live and where worshippers gather for morning prayers, when an ISIS gunman entered and fired wildly into the crowd.
Spotlight shines on coronavirus lies spread by China, Russia and Iran

2020-03-24

| Health
Spotlight shines on coronavirus lies spread by China, Russia and Iran

Despite overwhelming evidence, leaders in China, Russia and Iran are spreading disinformation about the origin of COVID-19, each for their own malign reasons.
US military vows to respond to Taliban attacks on Afghan forces

2020-03-24

| Diplomacy
US military vows to respond to Taliban attacks on Afghan forces

The statement by Gen. Scott Miller, the commander of the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, comes while President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah try to hammer out a political deal.
Stepped up operations force ISIS fighters to lay down arms in Laghman

2020-03-23

| Security
Stepped up operations force ISIS fighters to lay down arms in Laghman

The ISIS shadow governor in the province said his group gave up after being surrounded and repeatedly attacked by Afghan security forces .
Iran rejects US help to fight coronavirus as number of infections soar

2020-03-23

| Health
Iran rejects US help to fight coronavirus as number of infections soar

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected vital help even as Iran becomes a greater threat to world health with its increasing number of infected and its ill-advised policies.
Pompeo in Kabul as Afghan government, Taliban discuss prisoner exchanges

2020-03-23

| Diplomacy
Pompeo in Kabul as Afghan government, Taliban discuss prisoner exchanges

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in Kabul to help break a political deadlock that threatens to undermine the peace process, as the coronavirus pandemic further complicates the situation.
Insider attack kills 24 Afghan security personnel in Zabul as Taliban talks stall

2020-03-20

| Security
Insider attack kills 24 Afghan security personnel in Zabul as Taliban talks stall

The attack comes as Afghanistan faces a mounting threat from the coronavirus pandemic and continuing obstinance from the Taliban.
In photos: Afghanistan prepares to fight coronavirus

2020-03-20

| Health
In photos: Afghanistan prepares to fight coronavirus

Health workers across the country have been spraying disinfectant in high-traffic areas in cities and handing out masks to citizens.
Afghan all-girls robotics team aims to save lives with demining robot

2020-03-19

| Technology
Afghan all-girls robotics team aims to save lives with demining robot

The team's creation is the latest indication of Afghan girls' increasing proficiency with technology and growing knowledge.
Khalilzad calls Afghan prisoner swap 'urgent' amid coronavirus crisis

2020-03-19

| Diplomacy
Khalilzad calls Afghan prisoner swap 'urgent' amid coronavirus crisis

'Time is of the essence,' said US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad.
Afghans urge Taliban to stop making excuses and join peace talks

2020-03-18

| Security
Afghans urge Taliban to stop making excuses and join peace talks

The militant group is opposing conditions for prisoners' release to gain leverage over the government, observers say.
Iran dumps refugees infected with coronavirus across Afghan border

2020-03-17

| Health
Iran dumps refugees infected with coronavirus across Afghan border

The forced deportation by the Iranian regime of infected individuals and those suspected of having COVID-19 exponentially increases the risk of a major outbreak in Afghanistan.
Afghan families split by war see hopes for peace after years of turmoil

2020-03-16

| Security
Afghan families split by war see hopes for peace after years of turmoil

Muhammad Sarfaraz has dreamed of an end to the conflict in Afghanistan so that his two sons -- one a government solider, the other a Taliban member -- might be able to find peace.
China spreads conspiracies in effort to conceal its role in coronavirus pandemic

2020-03-16

| Health
China spreads conspiracies in effort to conceal its role in coronavirus pandemic

China is seeking to deflect criticism for its role in starting a global pandemic by spreading dangerous disinformation.
As deaths mount, IRGC's Fatemiyoun Division reignites outrage in Afghanistan

2020-03-13

| Security
As deaths mount, IRGC's Fatemiyoun Division reignites outrage in Afghanistan

The bodies of Afghan Fatemiyoun Division fighters killed in Syria were recently returned to Iran for burial, reigniting outrage over the militia's activities.
Kunduz residents remain hopeful lasting peace will come to Afghanistan

2020-03-12

| Security
Kunduz residents remain hopeful lasting peace will come to Afghanistan

Despite recent setbacks and an uptick in Taliban violence, Afghans say they want peace and are committed to the process.
Iran finally agrees to hand over black boxes of downed Ukrainian plane

2020-03-12

| Crime Justice
Iran finally agrees to hand over black boxes of downed Ukrainian plane

The decision comes more than two months after the Iranian military shot down a Ukrainian passenger airliner -- and then lied about it for days.
Herat, Badghis residents plant saplings for peace, call out Taliban for renewed attacks

2020-03-12

| Security
Herat, Badghis residents plant saplings for peace, call out Taliban for renewed attacks

Afghans attending planting ceremonies accused the Taliban of breaking their commitment to reduce violence in the country.
Afghan government agrees to release Taliban prisoners as UN backs peace deal

2020-03-11

| Diplomacy
Afghan government agrees to release Taliban prisoners as UN backs peace deal

The Afghan government said it would gradually release 5,000 Taliban prisoners on the condition of a reduction in violence, a proposal rejected by the militant group.
US denounces bid for parallel Afghan government as withdrawal begins

2020-03-10

| Diplomacy
US denounces bid for parallel Afghan government as withdrawal begins

President Ashraf Ghani was sworn in for a second term in Kabul, as his rival Abdullah Abdullah held a parallel inauguration just metres away.
Dozens more ISIS fighters surrender in Kunar amid intensified security operations

2020-03-09

| Security
Dozens more ISIS fighters surrender in Kunar amid intensified security operations

The militant group is 'almost eliminated' in the region, officials say.
Ghani sworn in for 2nd term as president

2020-03-09

| Elections
Ghani sworn in for 2nd term as president

The president did not flinch as ISIS fired rockets in Kabul in an attempt to disrupt his oath-taking ceremony.
Kunduz government creates hundreds of job opportunities for returning Afghans

2020-03-06

| Economy
Kunduz government creates hundreds of job opportunities for returning Afghans

The provincial government has created more than 500 jobs for citizens returning from Iran and Pakistan, and for families of those disabled or killed in conflict.
ISIS attack kills dozens at Mazari ceremony in Kabul

2020-03-06

| Security
ISIS attack kills dozens at Mazari ceremony in Kabul

The militants took responsibility for the massacre which occurred at a commemoration ceremony attended by high-ranking officials.
Officials blame Tehran's disinformation for arrival of coronavirus in Herat

2020-03-05

| Health
Officials blame Tehran's disinformation for arrival of coronavirus in Herat

The Iranian regime's initial concealment of the outbreak in its own country enabled the spread of the disease in the region, health officials say.
NATO warns Taliban of consequences if they fail to honour commitments

2020-03-05

| Security
NATO warns Taliban of consequences if they fail to honour commitments

Foreign forces will not leave Afghanistan if the Taliban does not honour its commitments and reduce bloodshed, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
ISIS fighters continue to surrender in Kunar amid pounding by US forces

2020-03-04

| Security
ISIS fighters continue to surrender in Kunar amid pounding by US forces

Fourteen Taliban members also laid down their arms in Nangarhar following the peace deal between the group and the United States.
US vows more retaliatory action if Taliban continues to upend peace deal

2020-03-04

| Security
US vows more retaliatory action if Taliban continues to upend peace deal

The US military carried out an airstrike against Taliban fighters in defense of Afghan forces, the first in 11 days. US officials warned more would come if the Taliban continue the violence.
Dismay pervades as Taliban break truce under false pretense

2020-03-03

| Security
Dismay pervades as Taliban break truce under false pretense

The Taliban is using Kabul's refusal to release prisoners to justify its new violent campaign. But the US-Taliban agreement clearly states that the provision requires the 'coordination and approval of all relevant sides'.
Afghans praise sacrifices, heroism of security forces on ANDSF Day

2020-03-03

| Security
Afghans praise sacrifices, heroism of security forces on ANDSF Day

'Security forces are busy defending the country day and night by fighting against enemies who try to destroy Afghanistan and kill Afghans,' one Afghan said.
Afghans express cautious optimism following US-Taliban peace deal

2020-03-02

| Women's Rights
Afghans express cautious optimism following US-Taliban peace deal

While a sense of relief pervades following the historic agreement, some citizens wonder if the militant group will once again seek to impose its strict ideology on society.
Fatemiyoun fighters seen as major risk to fragile Afghan peace prospects

2020-03-02

| Security
Fatemiyoun fighters seen as major risk to fragile Afghan peace prospects

Tehran's end game is to foster discord and violence now that the peace deal in Afghanistan has been signed, according to analysts.