Page 77 - Afghanistan

Taliban take districts in northeast Afghanistan from fleeing troops

Group now controls roughly a third of all 421 districts and district centres in the country

US exit from Afghanistan won't be finished in next few days, says Biden

The US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan would not be completed in the next few days, said US President Joe Biden on Friday (local time)."No," Biden said when asked by White House reporters if the withdrawal completion was days away, Voice of America (VOA) reported."We're on track exactly as we expect it to be. I wanted to make sure there was enough 'running room' that we wouldn't be able to do it all till September," he added, referencing the September 11 deadline he gave for the withdrawal's completion.Biden has set a deadline of September 11 for the final pullout of the few remaining troops.Earlier, a US defence official confirmed that all US and international coalition forces had left Bagram Airfield, the main American base in Afghanistan and that the base had been turned over to the Afghan National Security Forces.Citing the media reports, VOA reported that the withdrawal from Afghanistan could be completed by the US Independence Day on Sunday.On Thursday, Defense Secretary Lloyd

US seeks refuge for Afghan staff as it hands over Bagram airbase

The US had said it would have most troops out by September 11, keeping a contingent of about 650 in the country to protect diplomats, but that timetable was accelerated.

Top US General in Afghanistan warns of civil war after troop withdrawal

The top US military commander in Afghanistan has said that the country may collapse into civil war after the full US military drawdown

After 20 years, US to leave Bagram - heart of its Afghan military power

For nearly 20 years, Bagram Airfield was the heart of American military power in Afghanistan, a sprawling mini-city behind fences and blast walls just an hour's drive north of Kabul. Initially, it was a symbol of the U.S. drive to avenge the 9/11 attacks, then of its struggle for a way through the ensuing war with the Taliban. In just a matter of days, the last U.S. soldiers will depart Bagram. They are leaving what probably everyone connected to the base, whether American or Afghan, considers a mixed legacy. Bagram grew into such a massive military installation that, as with few other bases in Afghanistan and even Iraq, it came to symbolize and epitomize the phrase mission creep', said Andrew Watkins, Afghanistan senior analyst for the Brussels-based International Crisis Group. U.S. Central Command said last week that it's well past 50% done packing up Bagram, and the rest is going fast. American officials have said the entire pullout of U.S. troops will most likely be completely .

'We're going to stick with you': Joe Biden tells Afghanistan President

President Joe Biden has told his Afghan counterpart Ashraf Ghani that the people of Afghanistan "are going to have to decide their future" but assured him that the US is going to "stick with you"

US withdrawal from Afghanistan can have consequences for both sides: Ghani

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani said that he warned Joe Biden that Washington's move of withdrawing troops will have consequences for both sides, though he did not ask Biden to delay the withdrawal

Partnership between Afghanistan, US to be sustained, says Joe Biden

As the United States prepares to withdraw its soldiers from Afghanistan, President Joe Biden on Friday said his country's partnership with the South Asian nation is going to be sustained.

Best of BS Opinion: Thaw on the western front, globalisation, and more

Here are the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for Saturday

Thaw on the western front

Talks with Taliban, J&K leaders, thaw with Pakistan are strategic imperatives for Modi govt. It can't covet US as Quad ally in the east and work at counter-purposes with them in the west

Afghan leaders warned against blaming Pak during US visit amid backlash

Pakistan is expected to be the main point of discussion during Afghan leaders' visit at the White House this week

For Afghanistan peace, hold terrorism supporters accountable: Jaishankar

As Afghanistan prepares for the pullout of the US troops, peace there requires zero tolerance for terrorism, according to India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar

Pakistan PM Imran Khan refuses to condemn China's Xinjiang crackdown

He said China had been "one of the greatest friends to us in our most difficult times". He added that any conversation to be had with China would be held "behind closed doors"

EAM Jaishankar to address UNSC debate on Afghanistan on June 23

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to address the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debate on Afghanistan on Wednesday

5 people dead, 4 wounded in roadside bombing in Afghanistan's Ahmad Abad

Five civilians were killed and four others wounded as a roadside bomb struck a vehicle in Ahmad Abad district of Afghanistan's Paktia province, an official said

Joe Biden to host Afghanistan President at the White House on June 25

US President Joe Biden will host Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani at the White House on June 25, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said

Joe Biden to meet Afghan president and CEO at White House on June 25

US President Joe Biden would meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and its CEO Dr Abdullah Abdullah at the White House on June 25, a presidential spokesperson said.

Asian Cup qualifiers: India, Afghan draw 1-1, both enter next round

India were lucky to get away with a 1-1 draw against Afghanistan without actually scoring in a Group E match of the World Cup 2022 and Asian Cup China 2023 Qualifiers here on Tuesday

India vs Afghanistan highlights: India 1 | 1 Afghanistan at full time

A howler by Afghanistan goalie Ovays Azizi handed India a 1-0 lead in the 75th minute but Hossein Zamani equalised in the 81st minute in a match marred by poor refereeing.

Troop withdrawal: US will maintain its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan

US is only withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, not withdrawing from the country, and it is determined to maintain a strong diplomatic presence there to extend economic and humanitarian support