3 years ago
New Delhi:
The Taliban said Tuesday the war in Afghanistan was over and that all their opponents would be pardoned, as they held their first news conference since seizing power from the Western-backed government in Kabul.
"War has ended... (the leader) has pardoned everyone," spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, adding: "We are committed to letting women work in accordance with the principles of Islam."
The Taliban on Tuesday declared that no threat will be posed to any country from Afghanistan as the group took charge of the strife-torn country following a shockingly rapid collapse of its democratic government with the departure of most western troops.
"The Islamic emirate is pledging to all world countries that no threat will be posed to any country from Afghanistan," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told reporters at their first press conference in Kabul in which he announced an Islamic government will be established in Afghanistan soon.
The Taliban news conference came as the United States and Western allies evacuated diplomats and civilians the day after scenes of chaos at Kabul airport as Afghans desperate to flee the Taliban thronged to the terminal.
Here are the Highlights on Afghanistan-Taliban crisis:
Aug 18, 2021 05:02 (IST)
UK To Take 20,000 Afghans Refugees Under Resettlement Scheme
Britain on Tuesday announced a resettlement scheme for Afghans fleeing the Taliban after their return to power, offering an initial 5,000 places in the first year, rising to up to 20,000 in the long term.
The announcement came on the eve of an extraordinary session of parliament on Wednesday, where MPs recalled from holiday will discuss the collapse of the Afghan government, so soon after the withdrawal of Western forces.
Some 900 British troops have been sent back to the Afghan capital to help repatriate thousands of UK nationals, including embassy staff, following the Islamists' return.
London said priority would be given to those most at risk, including Afghan women, children and others forced to flee or facing threats and persecution from the hardliners, offering them a chance to remain in Britain indefinitely.
"This resettlement scheme will be kept under further review for future years, with up to a total of 20,000 in the long term," the Home Office said in a statement.
Aug 18, 2021 04:24 (IST)
Human Remains Found In Landing Gear Of Military Flight From Kabul: US Air Force
The U.S. Air Force said on Tuesday that it was investigating the circumstances surrounding human remains that were found in the wheel well of one of its C-17s that flew out of Kabul amid the chaos of the Taliban taking over the city.
In a statement, the Air Force said that the aircraft landed at Kabul's airport on Monday and was surrounded by hundreds of Afghan civilians.
"Faced with a rapidly deteriorating security situation around the aircraft, the C-17 crew decided to depart the airfield as quickly as possible," the statement said.
Aug 18, 2021 01:55 (IST)
Taliban Gained "Fair Amount" Of US Defense Equipment: White House
The White House acknowledged Tuesday that the Taliban had amassed a significant amount of US military equipment after seizing control of Afghanistan following two decades of war with American forces.
Pictures and videos have shown the Taliban with firearms and vehicles that Pentagon troops used or provided to the Afghan national security forces, as well as advanced UH-60 Black Hawk attack helicopters and other equipment at the Kandahar airport.
"We don't have a complete picture, obviously, of where every article of defense materials has gone. But certainly, a fair amount of it has fallen into the hands of the Taliban," said White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
"Obviously, we don't have a sense that they are going to readily hand it over to us," he said.
Aug 18, 2021 00:40 (IST)
Taliban Promised "Safe Passage" Of Civilians To Kabul Airport: White House
The United States said Tuesday the Taliban had promised safe passage for thousands of civilians seeking to reach Kabul airport with a view to leaving Afghanistan.
"The Taliban have informed us they are prepared to provide the safe passage of civilians to the airport, and we intend to hold them to that commitment," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House.
Sullivan said the United States was also "talking" with the Taliban about the timetable for the removal of thousands of American citizens and Afghans fleeing the country on US military aircraft.
Aug 17, 2021 23:47 (IST)
The Taliban on Tuesday declared that no threat will be posed to any country from Afghanistan as the group took charge of the strife-torn country following a shockingly rapid collapse of its democratic government with the departure of most western troops
Aug 17, 2021 20:07 (IST)
Afghan vice president says on Twitter he is legitimate caretaker president
Afghan vice president Amrullah Saleh said on Twitter on Tuesday he is in Afghanistan and is the "legitimate caretaker president".
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Aug 17, 2021 20:02 (IST)
US media firms seek aid for Afghan journalists
The publishers of the Washington Post, New York Times and Wall Street Journal sent a letter Monday to President Joe Biden seeking aid for Afghan journalists and their families who have been working for the US media organizations.
American media outlets are urging the US administration to help protect Afghan journalists seeking to flee as the Taliban tighten their grip in the country, AFP reported.
The publishers of the Washington Post, New York Times and Wall Street Journal sent a letter Monday to President Joe Biden seeking aid for Afghan journalists and their families who have been working for the US media organizations.
Aug 17, 2021 19:39 (IST)
PM Modi Holds High-Level Meeting On Afghanistan, Top Ministers Present
India has evacuated its staffers from the embassy in Kabul, which fell to Taliban on Sunday. The embassy personnel, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police on security duty, have been flown back on two Air Force planes -- the second one took off this morning, sources have said. Read Here.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security this evening, to to assess the situation in war-torn Afghanistan. The meeting was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
India has evacuated its staffers from the embassy in Kabul, which fell to Taliban on Sunday. The embassy personnel, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police on security duty, have been flown back on two Air Force planes -- the second one took off this morning, sources have said. Read Here.
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Aug 17, 2021 19:25 (IST)
NATO chief blames Afghan leadership for Kabul collapse
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday the alliance was surprised by the speed of the Taliban victory in Afghanistan but blamed Afghan leaders for the "tragedy".
"Ultimately, the Afghan political leadership failed to stand up to the Taliban and to achieve the peaceful solution that Afghans desperately wanted," he said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday the alliance was surprised by the speed of the Taliban victory in Afghanistan but blamed Afghan leaders for the "tragedy".
"Ultimately, the Afghan political leadership failed to stand up to the Taliban and to achieve the peaceful solution that Afghans desperately wanted," he said.
Aug 17, 2021 18:31 (IST)
Czech Republic's second evacuation flight leaves Kabul
A second Czech plane left Kabul on Tuesday, evacuating Czechs and local staff from Afghanistan after the Taliban seized control of the country, Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhanek said.
Military flights evacuating diplomats and civilians resumed earlier on Tuesday after the runway at Kabul airport was cleared of thousands of people desperate to flee after the Taliban seized the capital, Reuters reported.
A second Czech plane left Kabul on Tuesday, evacuating Czechs and local staff from Afghanistan after the Taliban seized control of the country, Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhanek said.
Military flights evacuating diplomats and civilians resumed earlier on Tuesday after the runway at Kabul airport was cleared of thousands of people desperate to flee after the Taliban seized the capital, Reuters reported.
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Aug 17, 2021 16:34 (IST)
Uganda to take 2,000 Afghan refugees at U.S. request
The east African nation has long experience receiving people escaping conflict and currently hosts about 1.4 million refugees, most from South Sudan.
Uganda said on Tuesday it had agreed to a request from the United States to take in temporarily 2,000 refugees from Afghanistan fleeing after the Taliban takeover, Reuters reported.
The east African nation has long experience receiving people escaping conflict and currently hosts about 1.4 million refugees, most from South Sudan.
Aug 17, 2021 16:17 (IST)
Germany halts development aid for Afghanistan: minister
"State cooperation on development is suspended for the time being," Development Minister Gerd Mueller said in an interview with the Rheinische Post newspaper. "We are working at pace to evacuate from Afghanistan, those local development officials and NGO workers who want to leave."
Germany has halted development aid for Afghanistan, the minister responsible said on Tuesday, after the Taliban swept back into power, AFP reported.
"State cooperation on development is suspended for the time being," Development Minister Gerd Mueller said in an interview with the Rheinische Post newspaper. "We are working at pace to evacuate from Afghanistan, those local development officials and NGO workers who want to leave."
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Aug 17, 2021 16:01 (IST)
China Denounces US "Awful Mess" In Afghanistan
Beijing has signalled its readiness to cooperate with the Taliban after the United States' withdrawal, which spurred a rapid advance by the terror group across the country that saw them capture the capital Kabul on Sunday. Read Here.
China on Tuesday accused Washington of "leaving an awful mess" in Afghanistan after the Taliban seized control of the country prompting a chaotic evacuation of US personnel and allies.
Beijing has signalled its readiness to cooperate with the Taliban after the United States' withdrawal, which spurred a rapid advance by the terror group across the country that saw them capture the capital Kabul on Sunday. Read Here.
Aug 17, 2021 15:45 (IST)
Kabul Airport Scenes "Shameful" For West: German President
Germany's president on Tuesday criticised Western powers over chaotic scenes at Kabul airport where thousands of Afghans gathered in a bid to flee the country after the Taliban swept back to power.
"The images of desperation at Kabul airport are shameful for the political West," Frank-Walter Steinmeier said, calling the situation in Afghanistan a "human tragedy for which we share responsibility". Read Here.
Aug 17, 2021 15:14 (IST)
Thousands Of Afghan Rights Workers At Risk: United Nations
The top United Nations human rights official expressed fear on Tuesday for the safety of thousands of Afghans who have worked on human rights issues, while the U.N refugee agency called for a halt to forced deportation of Afghan asylum seekers."We are particularly concerned about the safety of the thousands of Afghans who have been working to promote human rights across the country, and have helped improve the lives of millions," Rupert Colville said.
The top United Nations human rights official expressed fear on Tuesday for the safety of thousands of Afghans who have worked on human rights issues, while the U.N refugee agency called for a halt to forced deportation of Afghan asylum seekers."We are particularly concerned about the safety of the thousands of Afghans who have been working to promote human rights across the country, and have helped improve the lives of millions," Rupert Colville said.
Aug 17, 2021 15:00 (IST)
Kabul Airport Chaotic Scenes Are 'Shameful For The West': German President
Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday blasted Western powers over the scenes of desperation at Kabul airport where thousands of Afghans have gathered in a bid to flee the country after the Taliban swept back to power.
"The images of desperation at Kabul airport are shameful for the political West," he said, calling the situation in Afghanistan a "human tragedy for which we share responsibility".
Aug 17, 2021 14:49 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 14:32 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 14:21 (IST)
Turkey Welcomes 'Positive Messages' From Taliban
Turkey said on Tuesday it welcomed the "positive messages" to the international community given by Taliban fighters following their seizure of power in Afghanistan.
Turkey said on Tuesday it welcomed the "positive messages" to the international community given by Taliban fighters following their seizure of power in Afghanistan.
"We welcome the positive messages given by the Taliban to foreigners, diplomatic missions and their own population. I hope we will see (the same approach) in their actions," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in televised comments.
Aug 17, 2021 14:02 (IST)
Amid escalating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, India has evacuated its embassy staff in Kabul in a special Air Force flight.
Aug 17, 2021 13:33 (IST)
The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan after 20 years has left many Indians deeply worried over the safety of their loved ones stuck in Kabul and other parts of the country.
Aug 17, 2021 13:29 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 13:24 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 13:17 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 13:10 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 13:05 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 12:55 (IST)
US President Joe Biden warned the Taliban Monday not to disrupt or threaten the evacuation of thousands of American diplomats and Afghan translators at the Kabul airport.
Aug 17, 2021 12:41 (IST)
Among the thousands of Afghans who came running to Kabul airport yesterday, over 600 of them managed to fly out in a US Air Force transport plane at the last minute.
Aug 17, 2021 12:18 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 11:50 (IST)
A decade after returning from Afghanistan, Marc Silvestri was convinced it was time for his comrades to come home too. But watching the chaotic pullout unfold in real time has stunned the army veteran.
Aug 17, 2021 11:42 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 11:29 (IST)
The Taliban Tuesday declared a general amnesty for all government officials and urged them to return to work, two days after taking power following a lightning sweep through the country.
Aug 17, 2021 11:29 (IST)
The weeks leading up to Kabul's collapse saw a flurry of diplomatic activity by US and its allies in Qatar aimed at heading off exactly chaotic scenes in Afghan capital that have so horrified the world and put Joe Biden's presidency on defensive.
Aug 17, 2021 11:00 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 10:51 (IST)
The mood was sombre Monday in the corridors of the Pentagon, where US military personnel watched helplessly as chaos erupted at Kabul airport and privately criticized the slow pace of Joe Biden's administration in evacuating US-allied Afghans.
Aug 17, 2021 10:43 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 10:41 (IST)
The mood was sombre Monday in the corridors of the Pentagon, where US military personnel watched helplessly as chaos erupted at Kabul airport and privately criticized the slow pace of Joe Biden's administration in evacuating US-allied Afghans.
Aug 17, 2021 10:13 (IST)
Two Indian Air Force C-17 transports flew into Kabul on August 15 to evacuate Indian embassy personnel, including Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel who defend the mission.
Aug 17, 2021 09:59 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 09:54 (IST)
While many countries are scrambling to empty their embassies and remove their staff from Afghanistan, Russia is staying put -- it has long prepared for the arrival of the Taliban in Kabul.
Aug 17, 2021 09:39 (IST)
Afghanistan Crisis: Turkey Builds Wall Along Its Border With Iran To Stop Refugees
Aug 17, 2021 09:33 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 09:30 (IST)
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan after the government collapsed on Sunday. President Ashraf Ghani fled the country and conceded the terrorists had won the 20-year war.
Aug 17, 2021 09:24 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 09:17 (IST)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the latest developments in Afghanistan and underlined the urgency of restoring airports in Kabul.
Aug 17, 2021 09:10 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 09:08 (IST)
President Joe Biden defended the US pullout of Afghanistan Monday, saying he stood by the policy and that it was time to leave after 20 years of conflict.
Aug 17, 2021 09:05 (IST)
Aug 17, 2021 09:03 (IST)
Amid escalating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, India has evacuated its embassy staff in Kabul in a special Air Force flight.
