Afghanistan Military & News
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No Military Solution to Afghan Conflict: NATO (Update)
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.
After talks with NATO defense ministers in Brussels, Stoltenberg said, “We don’t think that there is a military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, but we strongly believe that we need a strong Afghan force to be able to create the conditions for a political solution.”
The Secretary General warned Taliban that they cannot win war in the battle grounds.
“Taliban has to understand that they will never win on the battlefield, so they have to come to the negotiating table and agree to a political solution. That’s the reason why we are providing military support, it’s to enable a political solution,” he added.
Stoltenberg noted that NATO welcomes any effort for a political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.
“We welcome any efforts to find a political solution and we strongly believe that this should be an Afghan-led and an Afghan-owned peace process, so therefore NATO support the Afghan-led and the Afghan-owned peace process, which also of course, at some stage, has to include finding a political solution with the Taliban.” he added.
This comes as recently, Taliban has published an open letter to the American people and called on them to demand an end the conflict in Afghanistan and to reject the inexperienced policies of president Trump and his war-monger advisors.
“Our aim is to strengthen the Afghan security forces so they can create the conditions for a peaceful solution”, the Secretary General said. He also praised President Ghani’s recent offer of peace talks with the Taliban, stressing that “an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process is essential to a long-term, inclusive political settlement.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.
After talks with NATO defense ministers in Brussels, Stoltenberg said, “We don’t think that there is a military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, but we strongly believe that we need a strong Afghan force to be able to create the conditions for a political solution.”
The Secretary General warned Taliban that they cannot win war in the battle grounds.
“Taliban has to understand that they will never win on the battlefield, so they have to come to the negotiating table and agree to a political solution. That’s the reason why we are providing military support, it’s to enable a political solution,” he added.
Stoltenberg noted that NATO welcomes any effort for a political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.
“We welcome any efforts to find a political solution and we strongly believe that this should be an Afghan-led and an Afghan-owned peace process, so therefore NATO support the Afghan-led and the Afghan-owned peace process, which also of course, at some stage, has to include finding a political solution with the Taliban.” he added.
This comes as recently, Taliban has published an open letter to the American people and called on them to demand an end the conflict in Afghanistan and to reject the inexperienced policies of president Trump and his war-monger advisors.
“Our aim is to strengthen the Afghan security forces so they can create the conditions for a peaceful solution”, the Secretary General said. He also praised President Ghani’s recent offer of peace talks with the Taliban, stressing that “an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process is essential to a long-term, inclusive political settlement.”
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Pakistan, Afghanistan to develop strategy for establishing peace in Kabul
QINGDAO: President Mamnoon Hussain on Sunday stated that Islamabad and Kabul will be working together to draft a comprehensive strategy for establishing peace in Afghanistan while speaking in a session of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Qingdao.
The president talked about relations with Afghanistan and said, “Pakistan and Afghanistan are working on a comprehensive strategy on a bilateral basis to establish peace in Afghanistan,” adding that “ceasefire in Afghanistan is a positive sign for regional peace.”
He further stated,“Peace and stability in Afghanistan is our common objective and Pakistan is playing its due role in this regard.”
President Hussain, while addressing the summit, also said that Pakistan has rendered unprecedented sacrifices in the war against terror to bring peace to the region.
“The law and order situation has improved in Pakistan over the last few years due to effective efforts against terrorism and extremism,” he said.
Having said that, he urged the leaders to unite and take effective measures for capacity building and skill development of the youth in member states.
Furthermore, President Mamoon also added that the general elections 2018 will bring economic stability in Pakistan.
He maintained that Pakistan has witnessed an improvement in services and agricultural sector, adding that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has further strengthened Pakistan’s economy.
Moreover, Mamnoon Hussain also felicitated the Chinese government and the people of China by issuing a special postal stamp for successfully hosting the SCO Summit.
In addition to that, the summit witnessed the signing of over 20 documents outlining future trajectory in a number of spheres.
Meeting with leaders
President Mamnoon Hussain met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and exchanged pleasantries during the summit.
The two leaders were photographed shaking hands and held a brief chat after a press conference by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
However, the neighbouring countries will reportedly not hold a bilateral meeting at the summit.
Hussain and Modi are among leaders who attended the media briefing after the culmination of the 18th SCO summit.
The Chinese president gave both the leaders of Pakistan and India a “special welcome” to their first summit of the SCO since their countries joined the group last year.
Following this, the Pakistani president also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iran’s Hassan Rouhani and President Mirzyoyey of Uzbekistan.
During a meeting, President Mamnoon and President Putin discussed “bilateral contemporary regional and global issues,” said a press release issued by the President’s Office.
Matters including trade, energy, security, education and people-to-people contact were identified as ‘avenues’ for cooperation.
Earlier, on Saturday, the president met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.
The Chinese counterpart expressed unequivocal support for Islamabad to safeguard its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“China is willing to intensify high-level contact and strategic communication with Pakistan. The China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperation is not only the shared asset of the two countries but also offers a model for building a new type of international relations,” said Xi.
Hussain congratulated Xi on being elected the general-secretary of the Communist Party of China for the second time.
Founded in 2001, the SCO also includes the former Central Asian Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The leaders of all eight member countries are in attendance at the summit, including President of Kazakhstan N. A. Nazarbayev, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tajik President E.Rahmon and Uzbek President Sh. M. Mirziyoyev, in addition to Modi and Hussain.
Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Mongolia and Turkmenistan are attending the meeting as observers.
Representatives of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Independent States, Collective Security Treaty Organization, Association of South East Asian Nations, Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, International Monetary Fund and World Bank are also in attendance.
QINGDAO: President Mamnoon Hussain on Sunday stated that Islamabad and Kabul will be working together to draft a comprehensive strategy for establishing peace in Afghanistan while speaking in a session of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Qingdao.
The president talked about relations with Afghanistan and said, “Pakistan and Afghanistan are working on a comprehensive strategy on a bilateral basis to establish peace in Afghanistan,” adding that “ceasefire in Afghanistan is a positive sign for regional peace.”
He further stated,“Peace and stability in Afghanistan is our common objective and Pakistan is playing its due role in this regard.”
President Hussain, while addressing the summit, also said that Pakistan has rendered unprecedented sacrifices in the war against terror to bring peace to the region.
“The law and order situation has improved in Pakistan over the last few years due to effective efforts against terrorism and extremism,” he said.
Having said that, he urged the leaders to unite and take effective measures for capacity building and skill development of the youth in member states.
Furthermore, President Mamoon also added that the general elections 2018 will bring economic stability in Pakistan.
He maintained that Pakistan has witnessed an improvement in services and agricultural sector, adding that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has further strengthened Pakistan’s economy.
Moreover, Mamnoon Hussain also felicitated the Chinese government and the people of China by issuing a special postal stamp for successfully hosting the SCO Summit.
In addition to that, the summit witnessed the signing of over 20 documents outlining future trajectory in a number of spheres.
Meeting with leaders
President Mamnoon Hussain met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and exchanged pleasantries during the summit.
The two leaders were photographed shaking hands and held a brief chat after a press conference by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
However, the neighbouring countries will reportedly not hold a bilateral meeting at the summit.
Hussain and Modi are among leaders who attended the media briefing after the culmination of the 18th SCO summit.
The Chinese president gave both the leaders of Pakistan and India a “special welcome” to their first summit of the SCO since their countries joined the group last year.
Following this, the Pakistani president also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iran’s Hassan Rouhani and President Mirzyoyey of Uzbekistan.
During a meeting, President Mamnoon and President Putin discussed “bilateral contemporary regional and global issues,” said a press release issued by the President’s Office.
Matters including trade, energy, security, education and people-to-people contact were identified as ‘avenues’ for cooperation.
Earlier, on Saturday, the president met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.
The Chinese counterpart expressed unequivocal support for Islamabad to safeguard its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“China is willing to intensify high-level contact and strategic communication with Pakistan. The China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperation is not only the shared asset of the two countries but also offers a model for building a new type of international relations,” said Xi.
Hussain congratulated Xi on being elected the general-secretary of the Communist Party of China for the second time.
Founded in 2001, the SCO also includes the former Central Asian Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The leaders of all eight member countries are in attendance at the summit, including President of Kazakhstan N. A. Nazarbayev, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tajik President E.Rahmon and Uzbek President Sh. M. Mirziyoyev, in addition to Modi and Hussain.
Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Mongolia and Turkmenistan are attending the meeting as observers.
Representatives of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Independent States, Collective Security Treaty Organization, Association of South East Asian Nations, Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, International Monetary Fund and World Bank are also in attendance.
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Taliban assure Afghans of bright future once US ‘invaders’ leave
The Taliban told “American invaders” to leave Afghanistan in an announcement marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, assured the people of a bright future under Islamic rule and said it had already liberated “vast areas” of the country.
The Taliban, who announced a surprise three-day ceasefire over the Eid holiday, except against foreign forces, also denounced the US relocation of its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem, which “further exposes the absolute hatred of American officials towards Islam”.
Taliban leader Sheikh Haibatullah Akhunzada said in the statement that Afghans’ salvation lay in “American and other occupying forces” leaving and repeated a call for talks with the United States.
“If the American officials truly believe in a peaceful end to the Afghan imbroglio, then they must directly present themselves at the negotiation table,” Akhunzada said.
“We also assure our nation (of) a bright future for our country accompanied by peace and prosperity, Allah willing,” he added.
The Taliban are fighting US-led NATO forces, combined under the Resolute Support mission, and the US-backed government to restore sharia, or Islamic law, after their ouster by US-led forces in 2001.
“The American invaders have not desisted from any brutality and severity in pursuit of subduing our nation. They bomb our villages, cities, mosques, madrassas and other events, murder innocent civilians, forcibly displace them and torment thousands of Afghans through unimaginable torture in prisons,” Akhunzada said.
Resolute Support said in response it was hopeful that the Taliban stick to their ceasefire “and we hope that pause leads to dialogue and progress on reconciliation”.
“Considering more than 90 percent of the casualties in Taliban high-profile attacks in Kabul this year are civilians, which is up from more than 80 percent in 2017 and 60 percent in 2016, peace for Afghanistan is overdue,” spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Martin O’Donnell said.
The Taliban banned cinema, TV and music during their five-year rule, deeming them un-Islamic, and insisted that women wear all-enveloping burqas. They inflicted harsh punishments for those who did not adhere to their interpretation of Islam.
But observers say life in Taliban-ruled areas now is much more relaxed, with music and TV permitted, girls allowed to go to school up to the age of 11, and women allowed to wear less restrictive dress.
Akhunzada said the Taliban had established “exemplary peace” in areas they control.
SIGAR, a U.S. Congressional watchdog, said in a recent report that the government controlled areas with about 65 percent of the population and controlled or influenced 56.3 percent of districts, the second lowest level since 2015, the first year after most international forces left Afghanistan.
The Taliban told “American invaders” to leave Afghanistan in an announcement marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, assured the people of a bright future under Islamic rule and said it had already liberated “vast areas” of the country.
The Taliban, who announced a surprise three-day ceasefire over the Eid holiday, except against foreign forces, also denounced the US relocation of its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem, which “further exposes the absolute hatred of American officials towards Islam”.
Taliban leader Sheikh Haibatullah Akhunzada said in the statement that Afghans’ salvation lay in “American and other occupying forces” leaving and repeated a call for talks with the United States.
“If the American officials truly believe in a peaceful end to the Afghan imbroglio, then they must directly present themselves at the negotiation table,” Akhunzada said.
“We also assure our nation (of) a bright future for our country accompanied by peace and prosperity, Allah willing,” he added.
The Taliban are fighting US-led NATO forces, combined under the Resolute Support mission, and the US-backed government to restore sharia, or Islamic law, after their ouster by US-led forces in 2001.
“The American invaders have not desisted from any brutality and severity in pursuit of subduing our nation. They bomb our villages, cities, mosques, madrassas and other events, murder innocent civilians, forcibly displace them and torment thousands of Afghans through unimaginable torture in prisons,” Akhunzada said.
Resolute Support said in response it was hopeful that the Taliban stick to their ceasefire “and we hope that pause leads to dialogue and progress on reconciliation”.
“Considering more than 90 percent of the casualties in Taliban high-profile attacks in Kabul this year are civilians, which is up from more than 80 percent in 2017 and 60 percent in 2016, peace for Afghanistan is overdue,” spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Martin O’Donnell said.
The Taliban banned cinema, TV and music during their five-year rule, deeming them un-Islamic, and insisted that women wear all-enveloping burqas. They inflicted harsh punishments for those who did not adhere to their interpretation of Islam.
But observers say life in Taliban-ruled areas now is much more relaxed, with music and TV permitted, girls allowed to go to school up to the age of 11, and women allowed to wear less restrictive dress.
Akhunzada said the Taliban had established “exemplary peace” in areas they control.
SIGAR, a U.S. Congressional watchdog, said in a recent report that the government controlled areas with about 65 percent of the population and controlled or influenced 56.3 percent of districts, the second lowest level since 2015, the first year after most international forces left Afghanistan.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
Translation: They have no intention of trying to work with the Official government, They intend to take the country back pre 9/11
The Soft Sell approach IE for the moment well they invest in the fighting they allow laid back rules but upon victory
These little things as well as strict and brutal punishments will return.
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Kabul Upbeat About Afghan Pakistan Action Plan
Afghan government leaders are optimistic about the implementation of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) and that it will help to ease tension between Kabul and Islamabad.
The Presidential Palace said the president’s recent talks with Pakistani military officials, including his meeting with Pakistan’s Army Chief General Qamar Javid Bajwa on Monday in Kabul, have been effective.
“Effective and important talks with Pakistan helps us to find logical solutions for historical and fundamental problems,” President Ashraf Ghani’s deputy spokesman Shahussain Murtazawi said.
According to government, the difference between Monday’s meeting and previous meetings was that the two sides agreed not to repeat “mistaken” politics.
“Mr. Bajwa clearly said that the continuance of mistaken politics is neither in Afghanistan nor in Pakistan’s favor and politics should change in line with cases,” said Omid Maisam, deputy spokesman for Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.
“Priorities should be defined when Pakistan wants to help us in peace and security. It should be defined as to what Pakistan wants and what Afghanistan wants from Pakistan,” said Mirza Mohammad Yarmand, the former deputy minister of interior.
An Afghan lawmaker, Abdul Rauf Enami, said the action plan does not include the prevention of “terrorists’” from entering Afghanistan and the issue of madrassas in Pakistan.
“No meeting with Pakistan has helped us to improve security in Afghanistan for at least 10 days,” he said.
Kabul and Islamabad finalized the APAPPS in April when Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi visited Kabul.
Key principles of the action plan include:
• Pakistan to support the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process,
• The two countries agreed to undertake effective action against fugitives and irreconcilable elements posing security threats to either of the two countries,
• Both countries commit to prevent the use of their respective territories by any country, network, group or individuals for anti-state activities against either country,
• To put in place a joint supervision, coordination and confirmation mechanism through Liaison Officers (LOs) for the realization of the agreed actions.
• The two countries commit to avoid territorial and aerial violations of each other’s territory,
• The two countries pledged to avoid public blame games and instead use APAPPS cooperation mechanisms to respond to mutual issues of contention and concerns, and
• Establish working groups and necessary cooperation mechanisms as per APAPPS for full implementation of the APAPPS and the above, mutually reinforcing principles.
Afghan government leaders are optimistic about the implementation of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) and that it will help to ease tension between Kabul and Islamabad.
The Presidential Palace said the president’s recent talks with Pakistani military officials, including his meeting with Pakistan’s Army Chief General Qamar Javid Bajwa on Monday in Kabul, have been effective.
“Effective and important talks with Pakistan helps us to find logical solutions for historical and fundamental problems,” President Ashraf Ghani’s deputy spokesman Shahussain Murtazawi said.
According to government, the difference between Monday’s meeting and previous meetings was that the two sides agreed not to repeat “mistaken” politics.
“Mr. Bajwa clearly said that the continuance of mistaken politics is neither in Afghanistan nor in Pakistan’s favor and politics should change in line with cases,” said Omid Maisam, deputy spokesman for Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.
“Priorities should be defined when Pakistan wants to help us in peace and security. It should be defined as to what Pakistan wants and what Afghanistan wants from Pakistan,” said Mirza Mohammad Yarmand, the former deputy minister of interior.
An Afghan lawmaker, Abdul Rauf Enami, said the action plan does not include the prevention of “terrorists’” from entering Afghanistan and the issue of madrassas in Pakistan.
“No meeting with Pakistan has helped us to improve security in Afghanistan for at least 10 days,” he said.
Kabul and Islamabad finalized the APAPPS in April when Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi visited Kabul.
Key principles of the action plan include:
• Pakistan to support the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process,
• The two countries agreed to undertake effective action against fugitives and irreconcilable elements posing security threats to either of the two countries,
• Both countries commit to prevent the use of their respective territories by any country, network, group or individuals for anti-state activities against either country,
• To put in place a joint supervision, coordination and confirmation mechanism through Liaison Officers (LOs) for the realization of the agreed actions.
• The two countries commit to avoid territorial and aerial violations of each other’s territory,
• The two countries pledged to avoid public blame games and instead use APAPPS cooperation mechanisms to respond to mutual issues of contention and concerns, and
• Establish working groups and necessary cooperation mechanisms as per APAPPS for full implementation of the APAPPS and the above, mutually reinforcing principles.
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Blast hits gathering of Taliban and Afghan security forces in eastern Nangarhar governor's spokesman...
KABUL (Reuters) - A blast hit a gathering of Taliban and Afghan security officials, meeting to celebrate the end of Ramadan fasting season, in the eastern city of Nangarhar on Saturday, officials said.
Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor of Nangarhar, said casualties were feared. No further details were immediately available.
Dozens of unarmed Taliban militants entered cities on Saturday to celebrate an unprecedented ceasefire.
KABUL (Reuters) - A blast hit a gathering of Taliban and Afghan security officials, meeting to celebrate the end of Ramadan fasting season, in the eastern city of Nangarhar on Saturday, officials said.
Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor of Nangarhar, said casualties were feared. No further details were immediately available.
Dozens of unarmed Taliban militants entered cities on Saturday to celebrate an unprecedented ceasefire.