Afghanistan

(AP) --- American diplomats are escalating a charm offensive with Central Asian leaders this week as they work to secure a close-by spot to respond to any resurgence of outside militants in Afghanistan after the U.S. military withdraws.

KABUL, July 14 (Reuters) - Taliban fighters in Afghanistan said on Wednesday they have taken control of an important border crossing with Pakistan, the latest trading town they have seized as they make advances after the withdrawal of U.S.-led international forces.

But Afghan officials said government forces pushed back the Taliban fighters and were in control of the Spin Boldak border district in Kandahar province. Civilians in the area said clashes were going on and it was not clear who controlled the border post.

KABUL, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Eight militants were killed on the outskirts of Kandahar city, capital of Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province as fighting raged in the country, the country's Defense Ministry confirmed on Wednesday.

The ministry said in a statement that "eight Taliban terrorists were killed in a clearing operation conducted by Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) with support of the Afghan Air Force (AAF) on the outskirts of Kandahar provincial center, on Tuesday."

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A high-powered Afghan government delegation, which will include the head of the country’s reconciliation council, is to meet the Taliban in Doha to jump-start a long-stalled peace process, an Afghan official said Tuesday.

The Taliban were expected to bring their senior leaders to the table when the two sides meet, possibly on Friday, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters. The Taliban maintain a political office in the Qatari capital of Doha.

13 July 2021; MEMO: The Taliban issued a fresh warning to Turkey against its planned continued military presence in the country and its guarding of the airport in the capital Kabul following the withdrawal of NATO forces.

CAMP ISTIQLAL, Afghanistan (AP) — Sakina, who is 11, maybe 12, walked with her family for 10 days after the Taliban seized her village in northern Afghanistan and burned down the local school.

They are now among around 50 families living in a makeshift camp on a rocky patch of land on the edge of the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif. They roast in plastic tents under scorching heat that reaches 44 degrees Celsius (110 degrees Fahrenheit) at midday. There are no trees, and the only bathroom for the entire camp is a tattered tent pitched over a foul-smelling hole.

KABUL, July 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. general leading the war in Afghanistan, Austin Miller, will relinquish command on Monday, U.S. officials say, in a symbolic end to America's longest conflict even as Taliban insurgents gain momentum.

Miller will become America's last four-star general on the ground in Afghanistan in a ceremony in Kabul that will come ahead of a formal end to the military mission there on Aug. 31, a date set by President Joe Biden as he looks to extricate American from the two-decade-old war.

KABUL, July 12 (Xinhua) -- At least 40 Taliban militants were killed in multiple airstrikes launched by the Afghan Air Force on Sunday, the country's Ministry of Defense confirmed on Monday.

In southern Helmand province, 14 militants were killed and two others wounded after warplanes targeted militants in Garmser district, the ministry said in a statement.

Those among the killed was Mawlawi Hijrat, a deputy commander of the Taliban so-called Sara Keta or Red Unit for Garmser.

KANDAHAR, Jul 10 (NNN-XINHUA) – At least 109 Taliban militants were killed and 25 wounded, during battles and clashes in two Afghan southern provinces yesterday, as fighting raged in the country, the military confirmed today.

In Kandahar province, 70 Taliban militants were killed and eight others wounded, after Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF), supported by Afghan Air Force (AAF), conducted a cleanup operation in Police District 7, of the provincial capital, Kandahar city and neighbouring suburban Dand district, army’s 205th Attal Corps, said.

KABUL/ MOSCOW, July 9 (Reuters) - Taliban officials said on Friday the Sunni Muslim insurgent group had taken control of 85% of territory in Afghanistan, and international concern mounted over problems getting medicines and supplies into the country.

Afghan government officials dismissed the assertion that the Taliban controlled most of the country as part of a propaganda campaign launched as foreign forces, including the United States, withdraw after almost 20 years of fighting.