When Afghan troops pushed into Kot, a district close to the border with Pakistan, this week, they found many of the houses empty, with posters plastered on the walls and black flags left by departing Islamic State fighters. Backed by U.S. special forces troops and airstrikes that authorities say have killed hundreds of Islamic State fighters in recent weeks, the Afghan army has launched an offensive against the movement, which is now believed to be confined to three or four districts in eastern Afghanistan. Afghan commanders said they faced little resistance as they pushed into Kot after a heavy air and artillery bombardment as fighters pulled out into nearby mountain areas. "We have already destroyed their training camps in Kot district and the operations will expand to other districts too," said Shereen Agha, an Afghan army spokesman. Provincial government spokesman Attahullah Khogyani said 78 Daesh fighters had been killed in the operation and many bodies had been concealed inside … [Read more...] about Afghan troops press offensive against Islamic State
Afghan islamic press
Pressure mounts for Afghan solution at London meet
Afghanistan will seek to drum up support for its plan to buy off Taliban militants at a meeting Thursday with its allies, who are expected to press Kabul to move more quickly to take over security. President Hamid Karzai will address about 70 countries and organisations that give vital support to his government in talks that some partners have said will be crucial but the Taliban has dismissed as a waste of time. The London meeting comes amid disquiet about the situation in Afghanistan more than eight years into a gruelling fight against the Taliban that has cost thousands of lives and is losing public support in several nations. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the conference was vital to determining the success or failure of the mission in Afghanistan. "In London we are talking about nothing less than setting the future course, a course that I am convinced will determine the success or failure of our mission," Merkel said Wednesday. She has announced 500 more German troops for … [Read more...] about Pressure mounts for Afghan solution at London meet
Afghan president to be first foreign leader to meet Cameron
Afghan President Hamid Karzai was set Saturday to become the first foreign leader to meet Britain's new prime minister, flying to London after winding up an important fence-mending visit to Washington. "The president of the Islamic government of Afghanistan arrived in London Saturday morning at the end of his official visit to the United States and is due to meet David Cameron and congratulate him on his election as the prime minister of Britain," the statement from Karzai's office said. The visit comes just days after Cameron formed a new government and put Afghanistan at the top of Britain's foreign policy agenda. Karzai and Cameron would "hold talks... on expanding and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries," the statement said. A spokesman for the British embassy in Kabul said the two leaders would meet at 1130 GMT at Chequers, the prime minister's official country residence. Karzai "will be the first foreign leader to meet Cameron since the new government … [Read more...] about Afghan president to be first foreign leader to meet Cameron
Afghan envoy says election run-off likely
A senior aide to Afghan President Hamid Karzai has for the first time conceded that disputed elections could enter a second round and pushed to hold the run-off quickly. Said Tayeb Jawad, Afghanistan's ambassador to the United States, said Thursday he has not personally spoken to election authorities who are expected to make an announcement within days. But Jawad, who has served as Karzai's chief of staff and press secretary, became the first member of his circle to speak publicly of plans for a new vote after Western-led allegations of major fraud in the August 20 polls. "A run-off is a likely scenario," Jawad said at the US Institute of Peace. "If that's what it is, everyone should work very hard to make that happen." Jawad said the next round of presidential elections should be held quickly, charging that a delay would create headaches for other nations -- including the United States, as it mulls sending more troops to fight Taliban insurgents. "The constitution requires a … [Read more...] about Afghan envoy says election run-off likely
NATO probes report of rogue Afghan attack on troops
NATO and Afghan officials were Saturday probing reports a rogue Afghan soldier shot dead foreign troops -- said to be two US Marines -- on a base in the volatile south of the country, the alliance said. US Army soldiers patrol Siah Choy village in Zari district of Kandahar province, south of Afghanistan on October 24. … [Read more...] about NATO probes report of rogue Afghan attack on troops