The Taliban's rapid takeover of Afghanistan has left regional heavyweights&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and Turkey with a headache -- both countries may see an opportunity to boost their influence but neither wants a further influx of refugees.

This is especially the case right now as both countries are battling the coronavirus pandemic and facing economic difficulties.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-india-brings-back-ambassador-embassy-staff-from-kabul-406158">LIVE Afghanistan crisis: India brings back ambassador, embassy staff from Kabul</a></h2>

Analysts say everything depends on the unknown factor -- whether the Taliban present a more moderate stance that allows for international cooperation or they return to the unbridled extremism that led to their overthrow in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

"The situation is a huge risk for Turkey, there is no doubt.&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;will also stand to lose if the Taliban returns to its old ways and provides a safe haven" for Islamist extremists, Asli Aydintasbas, a senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), told AFP.

Iran&nbsp;and Turkey both risk seeing substantial inflows of refugees, many of whom cross from&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;into Turkey in the hope of reaching Europe.&nbsp;

Both already host large refugee populations -- 3.6 million Syrians in Turkey and 3.5 million Afghans in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;-- and tolerance at home is running out.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19 pandemic</a> has hit&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;hard, pushing the sanctions-battered country further into crisis, while in Turkey the economic growth that was always the bulwark of Erdogan's popularity has faded away.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/guantanamo-ex-inmates-emerge-as-key-players-in-talibans-victory-in-afghanistan-406238" hreflang="en">Guantanamo ex-inmates emerge as key players in Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan&nbsp;</a>

Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan said last week that he was prepared to meet the Taliban leadership in a bid to secure peace while&nbsp;Iran's new hardline President Ebrahim Rasi said the US military "defeat" in Afghanistan was a chance to bring peace to the country.

On Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu talked of "positive messages" coming from the Taliban on protection for civilians and foreigners, expressing hope they would follow through with positive actions.

'Ticking bomb'&nbsp;

But analysts say the Taliban takeover has robbed Erdogan of a strategic card he was eager to play -- an offer to provide military security at Kabul airport that might have improved relations with US President Joe Biden.

"The whole Turkish mission is in jeopardy as well as the idea of using Kabul airport as leverage in relaunching Turkey’s relationship with Washington," Aydintasbas said, adding it was "hard to imagine" the Taliban letting Turkey control the airport.

"A few days ago this looked like a golden opportunity for Turkey. Now it is a huge ticking bomb."

Meanwhile, "the most pressing issue" for Erdogan is the possible influx of refugees from Afghanistan at a time of growing unrest in Turkey over the long-term presence of Syrians in the country, she said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fun-amid-chaos-taliban-fighters-ride-in-bumper-cars-with-guns-ride-horses-in-merry-go-around-in-kabul-watch-406201" hreflang="en">Fun amid chaos: Taliban fighters ride in bumper cars with guns; ride horses in merry-go-around in Kabul- Watch</a>

Aydintasbas said neighbouring countries "have no idea what Taliban 2.0 will look like".

"If the Taliban has become more moderate then Turkey could engage with it," she said.

The International Crisis Group argued in a research note that the Taliban's diplomatic engagement "has shifted to a regionally focused approach", emphasising dialogue with&nbsp;Iran, Russia, Central Asian states and China.

US-led stability&nbsp;

Rouzbeh Parsi of the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, said US forces leaving the region was&nbsp;Iran's stated goal, but their departure was far from entirely welcome for Tehran.

"US support for the governments in Afghanistan and Iraq has also been helpful for&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;in that it ensured a certain stability and US did the heavy lifting," he said.

Overwhelmingly Shiite&nbsp;Iran, which shares a more than 900-kilometre (550-mile) border with Afghanistan, appeared keen to achieve peaceful coexistence with the Sunni Taliban, he said.

"Iran&nbsp;has for some time, pragmatic as always, accepted that the Taliban are not going to disappear and that no outsider will be able to militarily defeat them," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-unidentified-man-shoots-at-a-civilian-trying-to-enter-kabul-airport-406227" hreflang="en">Watch: Unidentified man shoots at a civilian trying to enter Kabul airport</a>

"Iran&nbsp;is a country heavily beset by Covid, corruption, and a faltering economy. The ability and willingness to take on more Afghan refugees is probably not great."

Parsi added that&nbsp;Iran's future relationship with the new rulers in Kabul "hinges on the pragmatism of the Taliban", noting that Tehran would pay particular attention to the wellbeing of the mainly Shiite, Persian-speaking Hazara minority.

Marc Pierini, visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe and a former EU ambassador to Turkey, said Europe was anxiously watching the potential migrant flows after a million people reached its shores mainly through Turkey in 2015 when the Syrian conflict was at its peak.&nbsp;

"Handling this emergency will require a degree of confident humanitarian cooperation between the EU and&nbsp;Iran-Turkey, which will be difficult to achieve," he told AFP.

The Taliban's rapid takeover of Afghanistan has left regional heavyweights Iran and Turkey with a headache -- both countries may see an opportunity to boost their influence but neither wants a further influx of refugees.

The Taliban's rapid takeover of Afghanistan has left regional heavyweights Iran and Turkey with a headache -- both countries may see an opportunity to boost their influence but neither wants a further influx of refugees. This is especially the case right now as both countries are battling the coronavirus pandemic and facing economic difficulties. LIVE Afghanistan crisis: India brings back ambassador, embassy staff from Kabul Analysts say everything depends on the unknown factor -- whether the Taliban present a more moderate stance that allows for international cooperation or they return to the unbridled extremism that led to their overthrow in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. "The situation is a huge risk for Turkey, there is no doubt. Iran will also stand to lose if the Taliban returns to its old ways and provides a safe haven" for Islamist extremists, Asli Aydintasbas, a senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), told AFP. Iran and Turkey both risk seeing substantial inflows of refugees, many of whom cross from Iran into Turkey in the hope of reaching Europe. Both already host large refugee populations -- 3.6 million Syrians in Turkey and 3.5 million Afghans in Iran -- and tolerance at home is running out. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Iran hard, pushing the sanctions-battered country further into crisis, while in Turkey the economic growth that was always the bulwark of Erdogan's popularity has faded away. Also read | Guantanamo ex-inmates emerge as key players in Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan said last week that he was prepared to meet the Taliban leadership in a bid to secure peace while Iran's new hardline President Ebrahim Rasi said the US military "defeat" in Afghanistan was a chance to bring peace to the country. On Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu talked of "positive messages" coming from the Taliban on protection for civilians and foreigners, expressing hope they would follow through with positive actions. 'Ticking bomb' But analysts say the Taliban takeover has robbed Erdogan of a strategic card he was eager to play -- an offer to provide military security at Kabul airport that might have improved relations with US President Joe Biden. "The whole Turkish mission is in jeopardy as well as the idea of using Kabul airport as leverage in relaunching Turkey’s relationship with Washington," Aydintasbas said, adding it was "hard to imagine" the Taliban letting Turkey control the airport. "A few days ago this looked like a golden opportunity for Turkey. Now it is a huge ticking bomb." Meanwhile, "the most pressing issue" for Erdogan is the possible influx of refugees from Afghanistan at a time of growing unrest in Turkey over the long-term presence of Syrians in the country, she said. Also read | Fun amid chaos: Taliban fighters ride in bumper cars with guns; ride horses in merry-go-around in Kabul- Watch Aydintasbas said neighbouring countries "have no idea what Taliban 2.0 will look like". "If the Taliban has become more moderate then Turkey could engage with it," she said. The International Crisis Group argued in a research note that the Taliban's diplomatic engagement "has shifted to a regionally focused approach", emphasising dialogue with Iran, Russia, Central Asian states and China. US-led stability Rouzbeh Parsi of the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, said US forces leaving the region was Iran's stated goal, but their departure was far from entirely welcome for Tehran. "US support for the governments in Afghanistan and Iraq has also been helpful for Iran in that it ensured a certain stability and US did the heavy lifting," he said. Overwhelmingly Shiite Iran, which shares a more than 900-kilometre (550-mile) border with Afghanistan, appeared keen to achieve peaceful coexistence with the Sunni Taliban, he said. "Iran has for some time, pragmatic as always, accepted that the Taliban are not going to disappear and that no outsider will be able to militarily defeat them," he said. Also read | Watch: Unidentified man shoots at a civilian trying to enter Kabul airport "Iran is a country heavily beset by Covid, corruption, and a faltering economy. The ability and willingness to take on more Afghan refugees is probably not great." Parsi added that Iran's future relationship with the new rulers in Kabul "hinges on the pragmatism of the Taliban", noting that Tehran would pay particular attention to the wellbeing of the mainly Shiite, Persian-speaking Hazara minority. Marc Pierini, visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe and a former EU ambassador to Turkey, said Europe was anxiously watching the potential migrant flows after a million people reached its shores mainly through Turkey in 2015 when the Syrian conflict was at its peak. "Handling this emergency will require a degree of confident humanitarian cooperation between the EU and Iran-Turkey, which will be difficult to achieve," he told AFP.

Taliban takeover leaves Iran and Turkey fearing refugee influx

Inside pictures of plane at Kabul airport as Afghans battle to flee Taliban rule

Afghanistan's neighbour Uzbekistan on Tuesday said that they are in close contact with the Taliban and that they will "strictly suppress" any attempts to breach their borders after the insurgent group seized power in the country.

The former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan, one of three Central Asian countries bordering Afghanistan, released the statement following days of mayhem during which Afghan troops illegally crossed into the republic to escape the Taliban's advance amid the US military pullout.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-india-brings-back-ambassador-embassy-staff-from-kabul-406158">LIVE Afghanistan crisis: India brings back ambassador, embassy staff from Kabul</a></h2>

Uzbekistan's foreign ministry said that it supported the pledge of "internal Afghan forces" for an inclusive government and said Tashkent was "looking forward to achieving a comprehensive peace in the framework of the inter-Afghan talks in Doha."

Ministry officials say that they are in discussions with the Taliban over "issues of ensuring the protection of borders and maintaining calm in the border zone".

Kabul's government collapsed in a matter of days to the alarm of many Central Asian countries.

According to&nbsp;Russian news agencies Interfax and RIA Novosti, over 100 Afghan soldiers had been allowed to land at Bokhtar Airport in&nbsp;the south of the country&nbsp;by neighbouring Tajikistan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-say-they-want-women-to-join-their-government-406258" hreflang="en">Taliban say they want women to join their government</a>

In comparison to other Central Asian nations that border Afghanistan, Tadjikistan has not yet held official talks with the Taliban.&nbsp;

Three fighter planes carrying the soldiers landed in Bokhtar on Monday night, reported RIA Novosti.&nbsp;

Its interior ministry announced Monday that it will hold joint military exercises with China from August 17 to 20 to "combat terrorism in mountainous areas."&nbsp;

A military drill led by Russia took place in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan earlier this month near their borders with Afghanistan.

(With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan's neighbour Uzbekistan on Tuesday said that they are in close contact with the Taliban and that they will "strictly suppress" any attempts to breach their borders after the insurgent group seized power in the country.

Afghanistan's neighbour Uzbekistan on Tuesday said that they are in close contact with the Taliban and that they will "strictly suppress" any attempts to breach their borders after the insurgent group seized power in the country. The former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan, one of three Central Asian countries bordering Afghanistan, released the statement following days of mayhem during which Afghan troops illegally crossed into the republic to escape the Taliban's advance amid the US military pullout. LIVE Afghanistan crisis: India brings back ambassador, embassy staff from Kabul Uzbekistan's foreign ministry said that it supported the pledge of "internal Afghan forces" for an inclusive government and said Tashkent was "looking forward to achieving a comprehensive peace in the framework of the inter-Afghan talks in Doha." Ministry officials say that they are in discussions with the Taliban over "issues of ensuring the protection of borders and maintaining calm in the border zone". Kabul's government collapsed in a matter of days to the alarm of many Central Asian countries. According to Russian news agencies Interfax and RIA Novosti, over 100 Afghan soldiers had been allowed to land at Bokhtar Airport in the south of the country by neighbouring Tajikistan. Also read | Taliban say they want women to join their government In comparison to other Central Asian nations that border Afghanistan, Tadjikistan has not yet held official talks with the Taliban. Three fighter planes carrying the soldiers landed in Bokhtar on Monday night, reported RIA Novosti. Its interior ministry announced Monday that it will hold joint military exercises with China from August 17 to 20 to "combat terrorism in mountainous areas." A military drill led by Russia took place in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan earlier this month near their borders with Afghanistan. (With inputs from agencies)

Uzbekistan says in contact with Taliban, warns over border violations

Turkish government officials said on Tuesday they welcomed Taliban fighters' "positive messages" to the international community after they seized power in Afghanistan.

During the past few months, Turkey has held discussions with Taliban leaders about a range of topics, including its offer to protect Kabul's airport following the withdrawal of US troops.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-india-brings-back-ambassador-embassy-staff-from-kabul-406158">LIVE Afghanistan crisis: India brings back ambassador, embassy staff from Kabul</a></h2>

On Monday, Turkey evacuated more than 300 Turkish nationals from Afghanistan after Taliban forces moved into the capital over the weekend. The country also moved its embassy staff to the safety of the airport.

Speaking at an event in the Jordanian capital Amman, the Turkish Foreign Minister said Ankara was taking a wait-and-see approach about its offer to protect the airport.

During an event in the Jordanian capital Amman, Turkish Foreign Minister&nbsp;Mevlut Cavusoglu&nbsp;said that Ankara is using a wait-and-see approach&nbsp;about its offer to protect the airport.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-say-they-want-women-to-join-their-government-406258" hreflang="en">Taliban say they want women to join their government</a>

Despite that, he said the Taliban's first remarks were encouraging.

"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," he said in televised remarks.

Turkish personnel have been playing a role in the security of the strategic air hub for years, pointed out Cavusoglu, adding that Ankara wanted to observe what happens in Kabul to see how the situation plays out.

"We continue a dialogue with all parties in&nbsp;Afghanistan, including the Taliban," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/waiting-for-taliban-to-kill-me-and-others-like-me-says-afghanistans-first-woman-mayor-406254" hreflang="en">'Waiting for Taliban to kill me and others like me', says Afghanistan's first woman mayor</a>

"Right now, (the Afghans) are going to discuss all these issues among themselves. Who is going to take part in the transition, what kind of temporary government they will have. We will see and discuss all of this."

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Turkish government officials said on Tuesday they welcomed Taliban fighters' "positive messages" to the international community after they seized power in Afghanistan.

Turkish government officials said on Tuesday they welcomed Taliban fighters' "positive messages" to the international community after they seized power in Afghanistan. During the past few months, Turkey has held discussions with Taliban leaders about a range of topics, including its offer to protect Kabul's airport following the withdrawal of US troops. LIVE Afghanistan crisis: India brings back ambassador, embassy staff from Kabul On Monday, Turkey evacuated more than 300 Turkish nationals from Afghanistan after Taliban forces moved into the capital over the weekend. The country also moved its embassy staff to the safety of the airport. Speaking at an event in the Jordanian capital Amman, the Turkish Foreign Minister said Ankara was taking a wait-and-see approach about its offer to protect the airport. During an event in the Jordanian capital Amman, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Ankara is using a wait-and-see approach about its offer to protect the airport. Also read | Taliban say they want women to join their government Despite that, he said the Taliban's first remarks were encouraging. "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," he said in televised remarks. Turkish personnel have been playing a role in the security of the strategic air hub for years, pointed out Cavusoglu, adding that Ankara wanted to observe what happens in Kabul to see how the situation plays out. "We continue a dialogue with all parties in Afghanistan, including the Taliban," he said. Also read | 'Waiting for Taliban to kill me and others like me', says Afghanistan's first woman mayor "Right now, (the Afghans) are going to discuss all these issues among themselves. Who is going to take part in the transition, what kind of temporary government they will have. We will see and discuss all of this." (With inputs from agencies)

Turkey welcomes 'positive messages' from Taliban, says in talks with the group

As the Taliban seize control of Afghanistan, a Chinese official said on Monday that China is ready to further enhance "friendly and cooperative" relations with the country.&nbsp;

Throughout Washington's withdrawal from Afghanistan, Beijing tried to maintain unofficial ties with the Taliban.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-china-says-embassy-operating-normally-405858">Live Afghanistan crisis: China says embassy 'operating normally'</a></h2>

Afghanistan and China share a 76-kilometer (47-mile) border and in the sensitive border region of Xinjiang, Beijing has long feared that Afghanistan might serve as a staging area for Uyghur separatists.

However, in Tianjin last month, a Taliban delegation met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, promising that Afghanistan wouldn't be used as a base for militants.

Chinese investment and economic support were offered in return for Afghanistan's reconstruction.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Monday, at a time when the world watched in horror what was happening in Afghanistan, China said it welcomed the chance to strengthen ties with the country, which has long been coveted by bigger countries due to its geostrategic importance.

"The Taliban have repeatedly expressed their hope to develop good relations with&nbsp;China, and that they look forward to&nbsp;China's participation in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/airlines-reroute-flights-to-avoid-afghanistan-airspace-as-taliban-enters-kabul-405906">Airlines reroute flights to avoid Afghanistan airspace as Taliban enters Kabul</a>

"We welcome this.&nbsp;China&nbsp;respects the right of the Afghan people to independently determine their own destiny and is willing to continue to develop... friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan."&nbsp;

By gaining control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have opened up a strategic door for China, filled with both risks and opportunities.&nbsp;

As per analysts, an administration in Kabul that is stable and cooperative could pave the way for Beijing to expand its Belt and Road Initiative through Central Asia.

Meanwhile, China may be seen by the Taliban as a key source of investment and economic support, directly or through Pakistan - the Taliban's chief regional patron and an ally of Beijing.&nbsp;

So far, China has not recognized the Taliban as the new leaders of Afghanistan, although Wang Yi described them as a "decisive military and political force" during last month's meeting in Tianjin.

(With inputs from agencies)

As the Taliban seize control of Afghanistan, a Chinese official said on Monday that China is ready to further enhance "friendly and cooperative" relations with the country.

As the Taliban seize control of Afghanistan, a Chinese official said on Monday that China is ready to further enhance "friendly and cooperative" relations with the country. Throughout Washington's withdrawal from Afghanistan, Beijing tried to maintain unofficial ties with the Taliban. Live Afghanistan crisis: China says embassy 'operating normally' Afghanistan and China share a 76-kilometer (47-mile) border and in the sensitive border region of Xinjiang, Beijing has long feared that Afghanistan might serve as a staging area for Uyghur separatists. However, in Tianjin last month, a Taliban delegation met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, promising that Afghanistan wouldn't be used as a base for militants. Chinese investment and economic support were offered in return for Afghanistan's reconstruction. On Monday, at a time when the world watched in horror what was happening in Afghanistan, China said it welcomed the chance to strengthen ties with the country, which has long been coveted by bigger countries due to its geostrategic importance. "The Taliban have repeatedly expressed their hope to develop good relations with China, and that they look forward to China's participation in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters. Also read | Airlines reroute flights to avoid Afghanistan airspace as Taliban enters Kabul "We welcome this. China respects the right of the Afghan people to independently determine their own destiny and is willing to continue to develop... friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan." By gaining control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have opened up a strategic door for China, filled with both risks and opportunities. As per analysts, an administration in Kabul that is stable and cooperative could pave the way for Beijing to expand its Belt and Road Initiative through Central Asia. Meanwhile, China may be seen by the Taliban as a key source of investment and economic support, directly or through Pakistan - the Taliban's chief regional patron and an ally of Beijing. So far, China has not recognized the Taliban as the new leaders of Afghanistan, although Wang Yi described them as a "decisive military and political force" during last month's meeting in Tianjin. (With inputs from agencies)

'We welcome this': What China stands to benefit from rise of Taliban in Afghanistan

Life of Afghan civilians: The stark difference between 'then' and 'now'

Taking over Afghanistan by the Taliban represents a failure by the international community, according to British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who is assessing the West's intervention was just half-done.&nbsp;

"All of us know that&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;is not finished. It's an unfinished problem for the world and the world needs to help it," he said talking to BBC television.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-china-says-embassy-operating-normally-405858">Live Afghanistan crisis: China says embassy 'operating normally'</a></h2>

According to the former British army officer, US President Joe Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump had secured a "rotten deal" with Islamist militants that allowed their return.

In his opinion, the 20-year US-led intervention in Afghanistan had not been a waste, " it wasn't for nothing," but he accused Western powers of being politically shortsighted.

"If it's a failure, it's a failure of the international community to not realise that you don't fix things overnight," he said.

"I'm afraid when you deal with a country like&nbsp;Afghanistan, that is 1,000 years of history effectively and civil war, you manage its problems and you might have to manage it for 100 years.

"It's not something that you just rock in, rock out and expect something to be fixed."

Former US national security adviser HR McMaster has blasted his government for ignoring the Taliban's ability to take over quickly, calling the lack of awareness "wilful ignorance."

The retired army lieutenant general told Times Radio it was "clear that this kind of collapse was going to happen", after the deal brokered by Trump, who sacked him in 2018.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/airlines-reroute-flights-to-avoid-afghanistan-airspace-as-taliban-enters-kabul-405906">Airlines reroute flights to avoid Afghanistan airspace as Taliban enters Kabul</a>

According to him, the deal weakened Afghanistan's government and security forces, strengthening the Taliban. He said, "We stood idly by and we turned a blind eye. This was utterly predictable."

Foreign policy 'disaster'

Britain's prime minister Boris Johnson has said Britain will assist 3,000 nationals with their departure, but questions are being raised as to why he didn't fight harder against Washington's withdrawal.

Last month, the United Kingdom withdrew the majority of its remaining 750 troops from Afghanistan but announced that 600 soldiers would be returning to assist with repatriations.

On Saturday and Sunday, 370 embassy employees and British citizens left the country, and 782 Afghans are expected to leave in the next 24 to 36 hours, Wallace told Sky News.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/willing-to-develop-friendly-relations-with-afghanistan-says-china-as-taliban-take-control-405990" hreflang="en">Willing to develop friendly relations with Afghanistan, says China as Taliban take control</a>

Each day, officials plan to evacuate 1,200 to 1,500 people from Afghanistan. His department reported that the first flight returned to a British air force base on Sunday night.

A report in The Times declared the pullout&nbsp;&nbsp;"unforced and unnecessary"&nbsp;and said it was&nbsp;becoming "the greatest disaster in American foreign policy for almost 50 years".

Tom Tugendhat, the head of the foreign affairs committee, compared the situation to the 1956 Suez crisis, which revealed Britain's limitations as a global influence.

(With inputs from agencies)

Taking over Afghanistan by the Taliban represents a failure by the international community, according to British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who is assessing the West's intervention was just half-done.

Taking over Afghanistan by the Taliban represents a failure by the international community, according to British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who is assessing the West's intervention was just half-done. "All of us know that Afghanistan is not finished. It's an unfinished problem for the world and the world needs to help it," he said talking to BBC television. Live Afghanistan crisis: China says embassy 'operating normally' According to the former British army officer, US President Joe Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump had secured a "rotten deal" with Islamist militants that allowed their return. In his opinion, the 20-year US-led intervention in Afghanistan had not been a waste, " it wasn't for nothing," but he accused Western powers of being politically shortsighted. "If it's a failure, it's a failure of the international community to not realise that you don't fix things overnight," he said. "I'm afraid when you deal with a country like Afghanistan, that is 1,000 years of history effectively and civil war, you manage its problems and you might have to manage it for 100 years. "It's not something that you just rock in, rock out and expect something to be fixed." Former US national security adviser HR McMaster has blasted his government for ignoring the Taliban's ability to take over quickly, calling the lack of awareness "wilful ignorance." The retired army lieutenant general told Times Radio it was "clear that this kind of collapse was going to happen", after the deal brokered by Trump, who sacked him in 2018. Also read | Airlines reroute flights to avoid Afghanistan airspace as Taliban enters Kabul According to him, the deal weakened Afghanistan's government and security forces, strengthening the Taliban. He said, "We stood idly by and we turned a blind eye. This was utterly predictable." Foreign policy 'disaster' Britain's prime minister Boris Johnson has said Britain will assist 3,000 nationals with their departure, but questions are being raised as to why he didn't fight harder against Washington's withdrawal. Last month, the United Kingdom withdrew the majority of its remaining 750 troops from Afghanistan but announced that 600 soldiers would be returning to assist with repatriations. On Saturday and Sunday, 370 embassy employees and British citizens left the country, and 782 Afghans are expected to leave in the next 24 to 36 hours, Wallace told Sky News. Also read | Willing to develop friendly relations with Afghanistan, says China as Taliban take control Each day, officials plan to evacuate 1,200 to 1,500 people from Afghanistan. His department reported that the first flight returned to a British air force base on Sunday night. A report in The Times declared the pullout "unforced and unnecessary" and said it was becoming "the greatest disaster in American foreign policy for almost 50 years". Tom Tugendhat, the head of the foreign affairs committee, compared the situation to the 1956 Suez crisis, which revealed Britain's limitations as a global influence. (With inputs from agencies)

UK accuses Western powers of being politically short-sighted

Chancellor Angela Merkel's government is planning to deploy soldiers to Afghanistan to help with the evacuation of&nbsp;German&nbsp;nationals and Afghans in danger from the Taliban, parliamentary sources said Monday.

The government will seek a mandate from parliament to allow the deployment of as many as "several hundred soldiers", the sources told AFP, citing a briefing by Merkel to leaders of parliamentary groups late Sunday.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-planes-grounded-amid-airport-chaos-thousands-attempt-to-flee-country-405858">LIVE: Afghanistan — Planes 'grounded' amid airport chaos, thousands attempt to flee country</a></h2>

"An 'air bridge' is to be set up from Kabul, to allow the evacuation of local staff, particularly vulnerable women, human rights activists and other employees from non-governmental organisations, for as long as that is possible," said a source.

The government thinks roughly 2,000 people will need evacuating.

Consultations with the United States suggest it may be possible to run the evacuation operation until August 31, but Berlin may end the deployment earlier, said the sources.

Germany had already begun ferrying out staff from its embassy on Sunday, after moving them to safety at a military section of Kabul airport.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/willing-to-develop-friendly-relations-with-afghanistan-says-china-as-taliban-take-control-405990" hreflang="en">Willing to develop friendly relations with Afghanistan, says China as Taliban take control</a>

The first&nbsp;German&nbsp;military aircraft left on Sunday night for the Afghan capital to help with the evacuation.

The military will fly passengers to an unnamed neighbouring country where they will then be put on civilian flights to Germany.

Germany had withdrawn its last troops by the end of June after almost two decades in the country as part of a NATO mission.

The 150,000 people sent by Germany at various points over the years made it the second biggest contributor of NATO troops there, after the United States.

Critics of Merkel's government had however said it had failed to get Afghans who worked for the&nbsp;German&nbsp;military out of the country quickly enough.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's government is planning to deploy soldiers to Afghanistan to help with the evacuation of German nationals and Afghans in danger from the Taliban, parliamentary sources said Monday.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's government is planning to deploy soldiers to Afghanistan to help with the evacuation of German nationals and Afghans in danger from the Taliban, parliamentary sources said Monday. The government will seek a mandate from parliament to allow the deployment of as many as "several hundred soldiers", the sources told AFP, citing a briefing by Merkel to leaders of parliamentary groups late Sunday. LIVE: Afghanistan — Planes 'grounded' amid airport chaos, thousands attempt to flee country "An 'air bridge' is to be set up from Kabul, to allow the evacuation of local staff, particularly vulnerable women, human rights activists and other employees from non-governmental organisations, for as long as that is possible," said a source. The government thinks roughly 2,000 people will need evacuating. Consultations with the United States suggest it may be possible to run the evacuation operation until August 31, but Berlin may end the deployment earlier, said the sources. Germany had already begun ferrying out staff from its embassy on Sunday, after moving them to safety at a military section of Kabul airport. Also read | Willing to develop friendly relations with Afghanistan, says China as Taliban take control The first German military aircraft left on Sunday night for the Afghan capital to help with the evacuation. The military will fly passengers to an unnamed neighbouring country where they will then be put on civilian flights to Germany. Germany had withdrawn its last troops by the end of June after almost two decades in the country as part of a NATO mission. The 150,000 people sent by Germany at various points over the years made it the second biggest contributor of NATO troops there, after the United States. Critics of Merkel's government had however said it had failed to get Afghans who worked for the German military out of the country quickly enough.

German forces to aid Afghan evacuations: Parliamentary sources

As the Taliban seized <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-5-dead-at-kabul-airport-as-us-officials-leave-afghanistan-report-405955">Kabul</a>, China said it intends&nbsp;to develop "friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan".

"China respects the right of the Afghan people to independently determine their own destiny and is willing to continue to develop... friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan," China's foreign ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-china-says-embassy-operating-normally-405858">Live Afghanistan crisis as it happens</a>

Taliban delegation had met with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Tianjin last month amid its offensive in Afghanistan.

"The Taliban have repeatedly expressed their hope to develop good relations with China, and that they look forward to China's participation in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan," China's foreign ministry said.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/intl-affairs-expert-dr-kadira-pethiyagoda-dont-think-biden-admin-expected-this-move-of-taliban-405977/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Meanwhile, Russia said its ambassador to Afghanistan will be meeting Taliban officials on Tuesday. The militant group had earlier met Russian officials in Moscow.

The Russian foreign ministry said the ambassador will meet the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-taliban-emerged-seized-afghanistan-despite-us-involvement-405931">Taliban </a>security's coordinator to ensure security cover for the Russian embassy in the Afghan capital.&nbsp;

Russian foreign ministry official Zamir Kabulov speaking to a radio station said the government will recognise the Taliban "based on the conduct of the new authorities".&nbsp;

As hundreds of Afghans gathered at Kabul airport on Monday, several <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/airlines-reroute-flights-to-avoid-afghanistan-airspace-as-taliban-enters-kabul-405906">international airlines</a> either cancelled or diverted flights from the country.

German carrier Lufthansa said it will be suspending overflying operations in Afghanistan while informing that it was in talks with the government to evacuate civilians from Kabul.

France said it will begin operations to evacuate its personnel from Kabul. Defence minister Florence Parly said people will be sent to a French base in the United Arab Emirates during the repatriation process.

"The priority is to evacuate Afghan personnel who rendered eminent service to our country by helping us daily and also doing the maximum to provide protection to figures who defended human rights, journalists, artists and&nbsp;all those who stood for these values that we continue to defend around the world," Parley asserted.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

As the Taliban seized Kabul, China said it intends to develop "friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan". "China respects the right of the Afghan people to independently determine their own destiny and is willing to continue to develop.

As the Taliban seized Kabul, China said it intends to develop "friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan". "China respects the right of the Afghan people to independently determine their own destiny and is willing to continue to develop... friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan," China's foreign ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said. Live Afghanistan crisis as it happens Taliban delegation had met with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Tianjin last month amid its offensive in Afghanistan. "The Taliban have repeatedly expressed their hope to develop good relations with China, and that they look forward to China's participation in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan," China's foreign ministry said. Watch: Meanwhile, Russia said its ambassador to Afghanistan will be meeting Taliban officials on Tuesday. The militant group had earlier met Russian officials in Moscow. The Russian foreign ministry said the ambassador will meet the Taliban security's coordinator to ensure security cover for the Russian embassy in the Afghan capital. Russian foreign ministry official Zamir Kabulov speaking to a radio station said the government will recognise the Taliban "based on the conduct of the new authorities". As hundreds of Afghans gathered at Kabul airport on Monday, several international airlines either cancelled or diverted flights from the country. German carrier Lufthansa said it will be suspending overflying operations in Afghanistan while informing that it was in talks with the government to evacuate civilians from Kabul. France said it will begin operations to evacuate its personnel from Kabul. Defence minister Florence Parly said people will be sent to a French base in the United Arab Emirates during the repatriation process. "The priority is to evacuate Afghan personnel who rendered eminent service to our country by helping us daily and also doing the maximum to provide protection to figures who defended human rights, journalists, artists and all those who stood for these values that we continue to defend around the world," Parley asserted. (With inputs from Agencies)

Willing to develop friendly relations with Afghanistan, says China as Taliban take control

Kabul today is a very different place than it was just a few days ago.&nbsp;

The passage of time seems to have passed backwards, 20 years to be exact.&nbsp;

The Taliban are in the city, and the people are scrambling to flee. Governments have abandoned their offices, everyone just wants to get out of the godforsaken city.&nbsp;

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-china-says-embassy-operating-normally-405858">Live Afghanistan crisis: China says embassy 'operating normally'</a></h2>

Compared to the previous days, something has changed drastically. One of the most striking differences is that people on the street have changed their clothing, from jeans and T-shirts to traditional shalwar kameez, and no women are seen on the roads.

Traffic is backed up near the airport. People are engaged in&nbsp;a mad scramble for flights that have been cancelled - as well as for military flights to which civilians don't have access.

Eyewitness reports talk of American helicopters circling the air overhead for hours, with pilots looking down. The American pilots knew that the Taliban were in the city,&nbsp;nothing they did could now prevent the capture of the capital.&nbsp;

Shots ring out throughout the day. There's fear in the air, people are scared, what is going to happen.

Eyewitness account tells of US embassy staff being shuttled to the international airport by helicopters during the day as road travel was considered too dangerous.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/airlines-reroute-flights-to-avoid-afghanistan-airspace-as-taliban-enters-kabul-405906">Airlines reroute flights to avoid Afghanistan airspace as Taliban enters Kabul</a>

Taliban troops were seen marching through the heart of the country's government just outside the presidential palace.

For days now, tension has been at an all-time high in Kabul. The streets, which are usually crowded with people and cars, are now deserted.

Checkpoints for both the military and law enforcement remain unmanned, once again, Afghan troops seem to have vanished.

Many people are walking around with their belongings, looking for a place to stay. Many are from Mazar and have just arrived trying to escape battles throughout the country.

The day the Taliban returned - triumphant after 20 years - will be remembered by all.

Kabul today is a very different place than it was just a few days ago. The passage of time seems to have passed backwards, 20 years to be exact. The Taliban are in the city, and the people are scrambling to flee.

Kabul today is a very different place than it was just a few days ago. The passage of time seems to have passed backwards, 20 years to be exact. The Taliban are in the city, and the people are scrambling to flee. Governments have abandoned their offices, everyone just wants to get out of the godforsaken city. Live Afghanistan crisis: China says embassy 'operating normally' Compared to the previous days, something has changed drastically. One of the most striking differences is that people on the street have changed their clothing, from jeans and T-shirts to traditional shalwar kameez, and no women are seen on the roads. Traffic is backed up near the airport. People are engaged in a mad scramble for flights that have been cancelled - as well as for military flights to which civilians don't have access. Eyewitness reports talk of American helicopters circling the air overhead for hours, with pilots looking down. The American pilots knew that the Taliban were in the city, nothing they did could now prevent the capture of the capital. Shots ring out throughout the day. There's fear in the air, people are scared, what is going to happen. Eyewitness account tells of US embassy staff being shuttled to the international airport by helicopters during the day as road travel was considered too dangerous. Also read | Airlines reroute flights to avoid Afghanistan airspace as Taliban enters Kabul Taliban troops were seen marching through the heart of the country's government just outside the presidential palace. For days now, tension has been at an all-time high in Kabul. The streets, which are usually crowded with people and cars, are now deserted. Checkpoints for both the military and law enforcement remain unmanned, once again, Afghan troops seem to have vanished. Many people are walking around with their belongings, looking for a place to stay. Many are from Mazar and have just arrived trying to escape battles throughout the country. The day the Taliban returned - triumphant after 20 years - will be remembered by all.

On streets of Afghanistan, an air of despair surround the end of 20-year war

As Afghanistan’s President, Ashraf Ghani, left the country, Taliban members were ordered to enter and take over the capital city Kabul.

A little after Ghani left the country, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan issued a formal statement that clarified that the Taliban troops have been ordered to enter Kabul and take hold of all checkpoints abandoned by the Afghan forces.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-president-ghani-leaves-afghanistan-as-taliban-enter-capital-kabul-405579" hreflang="en">LIVE: President Ghani leaves Afghanistan as Taliban enter capital Kabul</a></h2>

However, the Taliban claim they have issued the order solely to protect the city from looting and chaos, and the locals should not be afraid of them.

The spokesperson has also urged locals to stay back in the country rather than fleeing as they plan to utilise the talents of the country. "No one should leave the country...we need all the talents and capacity, we need all of us to stay in the country and participate," the spokesperson said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-leaves-for-tajikistan-as-taliban-enters-kabul-405773">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-leaves-for-tajikistan-as-taliban-enters-kabul-405773/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

While the social media went abuzz with images that showed Taliban members painting over advertisements that featured women, the Taliban claimed that women will be given more freedom this time.

"We will respect rights of women...our policy is that women will have access to education and work, to wear the hijab,"&nbsp;Taliban Spokesman Suhail Shaheen said on a live BBC report.&nbsp;

The Taliban have also claimed that they have no intention of "taking revenge" from the Afghan forces and the pro-government soldiers and officials should join hands with the Taliban for the 'betterment of the nation'.

As Afghanistan’s President, Ashraf Ghani, left the country, Taliban members were ordered to enter and take over the capital city Kabul. A little after Ghani left the country, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan issued a formal statement that clarified that the Taliban troops have been ordered to enter Kabul and take hold of all checkpoints abandoned by the Afghan forces.

As Afghanistan’s President, Ashraf Ghani, left the country, Taliban members were ordered to enter and take over the capital city Kabul. A little after Ghani left the country, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan issued a formal statement that clarified that the Taliban troops have been ordered to enter Kabul and take hold of all checkpoints abandoned by the Afghan forces. LIVE: President Ghani leaves Afghanistan as Taliban enter capital Kabul However, the Taliban claim they have issued the order solely to protect the city from looting and chaos, and the locals should not be afraid of them. The spokesperson has also urged locals to stay back in the country rather than fleeing as they plan to utilise the talents of the country. "No one should leave the country...we need all the talents and capacity, we need all of us to stay in the country and participate," the spokesperson said. WATCH | While the social media went abuzz with images that showed Taliban members painting over advertisements that featured women, the Taliban claimed that women will be given more freedom this time. "We will respect rights of women...our policy is that women will have access to education and work, to wear the hijab," Taliban Spokesman Suhail Shaheen said on a live BBC report. The Taliban have also claimed that they have no intention of "taking revenge" from the Afghan forces and the pro-government soldiers and officials should join hands with the Taliban for the 'betterment of the nation'.

'Don't be afraid of us': Taliban take over Kabul as President Ghani leaves Afghan

Taliban advances in Afghanistan shift the Central Asian playing field on which China, India and the United States compete with rival infrastructure-driven approaches. At first glance, a Taliban takeover of Kabul would give China a 2:0 advantage against the US and India, but that could prove to be a shaky head start.

The potential fall of the US-backed Afghan government of President Ashraf Ghani will shelve, if not kill Indian support for the Iranian port of Chabahar that was intended to facilitate Indian trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Chabahar was also viewed by India as a counterweight to the Chinese-supported Pakistani port of Gwadar, a crown jewel of the People’s Republic’s transportation, telecommunications and energy-driven Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The United States facilitated Indian investment in Chabahar by exempting the port from harsh US sanctions against Iran. The exemption was intended to "support the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan".

However, with negotiations with Iran about a revival of the 2015 international nuclear agreement stalled, the United States announced in July together with Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan plan to create a platform that would foster regional trade, business ties and connectivity.

The connectivity end of the plan resembled an effort to cut off one's nose to spite one's face. It would have circumvented Iran and weakened Chabahar but potentially strengthened China’s Gwadar alongside the port of Karachi.

That has become a moot point with the plans certain to be shelved as the Taliban move to take over Kabul and form a government that would be denied recognition by at least the democratic parts of the international community.

Like other Afghan neighbours, neither Pakistan nor Uzbekistan or for that matter China are likely to join a boycott of the Taliban. On the contrary, China last month made a point of giving a visiting Taliban delegation a warm welcome.

Recognition by Iran, Central Asian states and China of a Taliban government is however unlikely to be enough to salvage the Chabahar project. "Changed circumstances and alternative connectivity routes are being conjured up by other countries to make Chabahar irrelevant," an Iranian source told Hard News and The Wire.

The Taliban have sought to reassure China, Iran, Uzbekistan and other Afghan neighbours that they will not allow Afghanistan to become an operational base for jihadist groups, including Al Qaeda and Uighur militants of the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP).

The Taliban have positioned themselves as solely concerned with creating an Islamic emirate in Afghanistan and having no inclination to operate beyond the borders of the Central Asian state, but have been consistent in their refusal to expel Al Qaeda, even if the group is a shadow of what it was when it launched the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington 20 years ago.

The TIP has occasionally issued videos documenting its presence in Afghanistan but has, by and large, kept a low profile in the country and refrained from attacking Chinese targets in Afghanistan or across the border in Xinjiang, the north-western Chinese province in which authorities have brutally cracked down on ethnic Turkic Uighurs.

As a result, the Taliban reassurance was insufficient to stop China from repeatedly advising its citizens to leave Afghanistan as soon as possible.

"Currently, the security situation in Afghanistan has further deteriorated … If Chinese citizens insist on staying in Afghanistan, they will face extremely high-security risks, and all the consequences will be borne by themselves," the Chinese foreign ministry said.

The fallout of the Taliban's sweep across Afghanistan, despite the group's assurances, is likely to affect China beyond Afghan borders, perhaps no more so than in Pakistan, a major focus of the People's Republic's single largest Belt-and Road-related investment.

The investment has made China a target for attacks by militants primarily Baloch nationalists. However, the killing in July of nine Chinese nationals in an explosion on a bus transporting Chinese workers to the construction site of a dam in the northern mountains of Pakistan, a region more prone to attacks by religious militants, raises the specter of jihadists also targeting China. It was the highest loss of life of Chinese citizens in recent years in Pakistan.

The attack occurred amid fears that the Taliban will bolster ultra-conservative religious sentiment in Pakistan that celebrates the group as heroes whose success enhances the chances for austere religious rule in the world’s second-most populous Muslim-majority state.

"Our jihadis will be emboldened. They will say that ‘if America can be beaten, what is the Pakistan army to stand in our way?" said a senior Pakistani official.

Indicating Chinese concern, China has delayed the signing of a framework agreement on industrial cooperation that would have accelerated the implementation of projects that are part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Said scholar Kamran Bokhari: "Regime change is a terribly messy process. Weak regimes can be toppled; replacing them is the hard part. It is only a matter of time before the Afghan state collapses, unleashing chaos that will spill beyond its borders. All of Afghanistan's neighbours will be affected to varying degrees, but Pakistan and China have the most to lose."

The demise of Chabahar and/or the targeting by the Taliban of Hazara Shiites in Afghanistan could potentially turn Iran into a significant loser too.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Taliban advances in Afghanistan shift the Central Asian playing field on which China, India and the United States compete with rival infrastructure-driven approaches.

Taliban advances in Afghanistan shift the Central Asian playing field on which China, India and the United States compete with rival infrastructure-driven approaches. At first glance, a Taliban takeover of Kabul would give China a 2:0 advantage against the US and India, but that could prove to be a shaky head start. The potential fall of the US-backed Afghan government of President Ashraf Ghani will shelve, if not kill Indian support for the Iranian port of Chabahar that was intended to facilitate Indian trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia. Chabahar was also viewed by India as a counterweight to the Chinese-supported Pakistani port of Gwadar, a crown jewel of the People’s Republic’s transportation, telecommunications and energy-driven Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The United States facilitated Indian investment in Chabahar by exempting the port from harsh US sanctions against Iran. The exemption was intended to "support the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan". However, with negotiations with Iran about a revival of the 2015 international nuclear agreement stalled, the United States announced in July together with Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan plan to create a platform that would foster regional trade, business ties and connectivity. The connectivity end of the plan resembled an effort to cut off one's nose to spite one's face. It would have circumvented Iran and weakened Chabahar but potentially strengthened China’s Gwadar alongside the port of Karachi. That has become a moot point with the plans certain to be shelved as the Taliban move to take over Kabul and form a government that would be denied recognition by at least the democratic parts of the international community. Like other Afghan neighbours, neither Pakistan nor Uzbekistan or for that matter China are likely to join a boycott of the Taliban. On the contrary, China last month made a point of giving a visiting Taliban delegation a warm welcome. Recognition by Iran, Central Asian states and China of a Taliban government is however unlikely to be enough to salvage the Chabahar project. "Changed circumstances and alternative connectivity routes are being conjured up by other countries to make Chabahar irrelevant," an Iranian source told Hard News and The Wire. The Taliban have sought to reassure China, Iran, Uzbekistan and other Afghan neighbours that they will not allow Afghanistan to become an operational base for jihadist groups, including Al Qaeda and Uighur militants of the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP). The Taliban have positioned themselves as solely concerned with creating an Islamic emirate in Afghanistan and having no inclination to operate beyond the borders of the Central Asian state, but have been consistent in their refusal to expel Al Qaeda, even if the group is a shadow of what it was when it launched the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington 20 years ago. The TIP has occasionally issued videos documenting its presence in Afghanistan but has, by and large, kept a low profile in the country and refrained from attacking Chinese targets in Afghanistan or across the border in Xinjiang, the north-western Chinese province in which authorities have brutally cracked down on ethnic Turkic Uighurs. As a result, the Taliban reassurance was insufficient to stop China from repeatedly advising its citizens to leave Afghanistan as soon as possible. "Currently, the security situation in Afghanistan has further deteriorated … If Chinese citizens insist on staying in Afghanistan, they will face extremely high-security risks, and all the consequences will be borne by themselves," the Chinese foreign ministry said. The fallout of the Taliban's sweep across Afghanistan, despite the group's assurances, is likely to affect China beyond Afghan borders, perhaps no more so than in Pakistan, a major focus of the People's Republic's single largest Belt-and Road-related investment. The investment has made China a target for attacks by militants primarily Baloch nationalists. However, the killing in July of nine Chinese nationals in an explosion on a bus transporting Chinese workers to the construction site of a dam in the northern mountains of Pakistan, a region more prone to attacks by religious militants, raises the specter of jihadists also targeting China. It was the highest loss of life of Chinese citizens in recent years in Pakistan. The attack occurred amid fears that the Taliban will bolster ultra-conservative religious sentiment in Pakistan that celebrates the group as heroes whose success enhances the chances for austere religious rule in the world’s second-most populous Muslim-majority state. "Our jihadis will be emboldened. They will say that ‘if America can be beaten, what is the Pakistan army to stand in our way?" said a senior Pakistani official. Indicating Chinese concern, China has delayed the signing of a framework agreement on industrial cooperation that would have accelerated the implementation of projects that are part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Said scholar Kamran Bokhari: "Regime change is a terribly messy process. Weak regimes can be toppled; replacing them is the hard part. It is only a matter of time before the Afghan state collapses, unleashing chaos that will spill beyond its borders. All of Afghanistan's neighbours will be affected to varying degrees, but Pakistan and China have the most to lose." The demise of Chabahar and/or the targeting by the Taliban of Hazara Shiites in Afghanistan could potentially turn Iran into a significant loser too. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

What starts in Afghanistan does not stay in Afghanistan: China, India, and Iran grapple with the fallout

According to news agency Reuters, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-fiji-google-co-founder-larry-page-lands-in-new-zealand-find-out-why-403013">Google</a> employees could face a salary cut if they decide to work from home permanently.

The move could hit long commuters hard. Facebook and Twitter reportedly have cut salaries of remote employees who have moved to less expensive areas.

The experiment is apparently taking place across the tech industry in Silicon Valley.

The Reuters report said Google employees could face a pay cut of upto 25 per cent for remote work if they leave&nbsp;the San Francisco hub for an equally expensive area.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/world-business-watch-dozens-of-us-states-sue-google-alleging-antitrust-violations-396656/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The report quoted a Google spokesman who declared that the company's compensation package has always been determined by location while adding that pay will differ from city to city and state to state.

According to a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) survey in the US, remote work has been an overwhelming success for both employees and employers with less than one in five executives who say they want to return to the office as it was the pre-pandemic era and the rest grappling with how widely to extend remote work options.

However, the survey said by July, 75 per cent of executives anticipated that at least half of office employees will be working in the office.

Over 55 per cent of executives in the survey said they prefer to work from home at least three days a week once the pandemic recedes.&nbsp;

Interestingly, 87 per cent executives expected to make changes to their real estate strategy over the next one year with companies planning to consolidate office space in premier locations or deciding to open more satellite locations.

In a mixed result, some executives said they wanted to reduce office space but 55 per cent said they expected more space with results highlighting that companies are planning to reinvest the remote work dividend in new ways.

The survey also said hybrid workplaces are likely to become the norm even as employees and employers don’t agree on the optimal schedule for remote work.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

According to news agency Reuters, Google employees could face a salary cut if they decide to work from home permanently. The move could hit long commuters hard. Facebook and Twitter reportedly have cut salaries of remote employees who have moved to less expensive areas.

According to news agency Reuters, Google employees could face a salary cut if they decide to work from home permanently. The move could hit long commuters hard. Facebook and Twitter reportedly have cut salaries of remote employees who have moved to less expensive areas. The experiment is apparently taking place across the tech industry in Silicon Valley. The Reuters report said Google employees could face a pay cut of upto 25 per cent for remote work if they leave the San Francisco hub for an equally expensive area. Watch: The report quoted a Google spokesman who declared that the company's compensation package has always been determined by location while adding that pay will differ from city to city and state to state. According to a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) survey in the US, remote work has been an overwhelming success for both employees and employers with less than one in five executives who say they want to return to the office as it was the pre-pandemic era and the rest grappling with how widely to extend remote work options. However, the survey said by July, 75 per cent of executives anticipated that at least half of office employees will be working in the office. Over 55 per cent of executives in the survey said they prefer to work from home at least three days a week once the pandemic recedes. Interestingly, 87 per cent executives expected to make changes to their real estate strategy over the next one year with companies planning to consolidate office space in premier locations or deciding to open more satellite locations. In a mixed result, some executives said they wanted to reduce office space but 55 per cent said they expected more space with results highlighting that companies are planning to reinvest the remote work dividend in new ways. The survey also said hybrid workplaces are likely to become the norm even as employees and employers don’t agree on the optimal schedule for remote work. (With inputs from Agencies)

Pandemic effect: Google employees who work from home may suffer salary cut

The Taliban tightened the noose over northern Afghanistan Sunday, capturing two more provincial capitals as they take their fight to the cities after seizing much of the countryside in recent months.

The insurgents have snatched up four provincial capitals in Afghanistan since Friday in a lightning offensive that appears to have overwhelmed government forces.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/opinion-why-us-strategy-in-afghanistan-failed-against-taliban-pakistan-nexus-403844">Opinion | Why US strategy in Afghanistan failed against Taliban-Pakistan nexus?</a>

Kunduz and Sar-e-Pul in the north fell within hours of each other Sunday, lawmakers and residents in the cities confirmed, but not without fierce fighting.

Pro-Taliban social media accounts claimed the insurgents were also close to overrunning the provincial capital of Taloqan.

In Kunduz, one resident described the city as being enveloped in "total chaos".

"After some fierce fighting, the mujahideen, with the grace of God, captured the capital of Kunduz," the Taliban said in a statement.

"The mujahideen also captured Sar-e-Pul city, the government buildings and all the installations there."

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-captures-key-installations-in-kunduz-heavy-fighting-underway-in-herat-kandahar-403938">Taliban captures key installations in Kunduz, heavy fighting underway in Herat, Kandahar</a>

Parwina Azimi, a women's rights activist in Sar-e-Pul, told AFP by phone that government officials and the remaining forces had retreated to an army barracks about three kilometres (two miles) from the city.

The Taliban had the compound "surrounded", said Mohammad Hussein Mujahidzada, a member of the provincial council.

Perennial target

Kunduz is the most significant Taliban gain since the insurgents launched an offensive in May as foreign forces began the final stages of their withdrawal.&nbsp;

It has been a perennial target for the Taliban, who briefly overran the city in 2015 and again in 2016 but never managed to hold it for long.&nbsp;

The ministry of defence said government forces were fighting to retake key installations.

"The commando forces have launched a clearing operation. Some areas, including the national radio and TV buildings, have been cleared of the terrorist Taliban," it said.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-taliban-claims-to-capture-urban-parts-in-kunduz-403956/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Kabul's ability to hold the north may prove crucial to the government's long-term survival.

Northern Afghanistan has long been considered an anti-Taliban stronghold that saw some of the stiffest resistance to militant rule in the 1990s.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-taliban-held-nimroz-public-property-gets-looted-403846">In Taliban-held Nimroz, public property gets ‘looted’</a>

The region remains home to several militias and is also a fertile recruiting ground for the country's armed forces.&nbsp;

"The capture of Kunduz is quite significant because it will free up a large number of Taliban forces who might then be mobilised in other parts of the north," said Ibraheem Thurial, a consultant for International Crisis Group.

Vivid footage of the fighting was posted on social media over the weekend, including what appeared to be large numbers of prisoners being freed from jails in captured cities.

The Taliban frequently target prisons to release incarcerated fighters to replenish their ranks.

On Friday, the insurgents seized their first provincial capital, Zaranj in southwestern Nimroz on the border with Iran, and followed it up by taking&nbsp;Sheberghan&nbsp;in northern Jawzjan province the next day.

US airstrikes&nbsp;

Fighting was also reported on the outskirts of Herat in the west, and Lashkar Gah and Kandahar in the south.

The pace of Taliban advances has caught government forces flatfooted, but they won some respite late Saturday after US warplanes bombed Taliban positions in&nbsp;Sheberghan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-orders-b-52-bombers-spectre-gunships-to-target-taliban-says-report-403840">US orders B-52 bombers, Spectre gunships to target Taliban, says report</a> &nbsp;

"US forces have conducted several air strikes in defence of our Afghan partners in recent days," Major Nicole Ferrara, a Central Command spokesperson, told AFP in Washington.

Sheberghan&nbsp;is the stronghold of notorious Afghan warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum, whose militiamen and government forces were reportedly retreating east to Mazar-i-Sharif in Balkh province.

Dostum has overseen one of the largest militias in the north and garnered a fearsome reputation fighting the Taliban in the 1990s -- along with accusations his forces massacred thousands of insurgent prisoners of war.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-international-community-worries-for-afghans-404044/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A retreat of his fighters dents the government's recent hopes that militias could help the overstretched military.

The government has said little about the fall of the provincial capitals, other than vowing to retake them.

That has been a familiar response to most Taliban gains in recent weeks, although government forces have largely failed to make good on promises to retake dozens of districts and border posts.

Hundreds of thousands of Afghans have been displaced by the recent fighting, and on Saturday, 12 people were killed when their bus was struck by a roadside bomb as they tried to flee Gardez in Paktia province.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-violence-in-herat-city-prompt-mass-evacuation-403959/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"I lost my mother, father, two brothers, two sisters-in-law and other members of the family," said Noor Jan.

The withdrawal of foreign forces is due to finish at the end of this month ahead of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The US-led invasion sparked by 9/11 toppled the first Taliban regime in 2001.

The Taliban tightened the noose over northern Afghanistan Sunday, capturing two more provincial capitals as they take their fight to the cities after seizing much of the countryside in recent months.

The Taliban tightened the noose over northern Afghanistan Sunday, capturing two more provincial capitals as they take their fight to the cities after seizing much of the countryside in recent months. The insurgents have snatched up four provincial capitals in Afghanistan since Friday in a lightning offensive that appears to have overwhelmed government forces. Also read | Opinion | Why US strategy in Afghanistan failed against Taliban-Pakistan nexus? Kunduz and Sar-e-Pul in the north fell within hours of each other Sunday, lawmakers and residents in the cities confirmed, but not without fierce fighting. Pro-Taliban social media accounts claimed the insurgents were also close to overrunning the provincial capital of Taloqan. In Kunduz, one resident described the city as being enveloped in "total chaos". "After some fierce fighting, the mujahideen, with the grace of God, captured the capital of Kunduz," the Taliban said in a statement. "The mujahideen also captured Sar-e-Pul city, the government buildings and all the installations there." Also read | Taliban captures key installations in Kunduz, heavy fighting underway in Herat, Kandahar Parwina Azimi, a women's rights activist in Sar-e-Pul, told AFP by phone that government officials and the remaining forces had retreated to an army barracks about three kilometres (two miles) from the city. The Taliban had the compound "surrounded", said Mohammad Hussein Mujahidzada, a member of the provincial council. Perennial target Kunduz is the most significant Taliban gain since the insurgents launched an offensive in May as foreign forces began the final stages of their withdrawal. It has been a perennial target for the Taliban, who briefly overran the city in 2015 and again in 2016 but never managed to hold it for long. The ministry of defence said government forces were fighting to retake key installations. "The commando forces have launched a clearing operation. Some areas, including the national radio and TV buildings, have been cleared of the terrorist Taliban," it said. Kabul's ability to hold the north may prove crucial to the government's long-term survival. Northern Afghanistan has long been considered an anti-Taliban stronghold that saw some of the stiffest resistance to militant rule in the 1990s. Also read | In Taliban-held Nimroz, public property gets ‘looted’ The region remains home to several militias and is also a fertile recruiting ground for the country's armed forces. "The capture of Kunduz is quite significant because it will free up a large number of Taliban forces who might then be mobilised in other parts of the north," said Ibraheem Thurial, a consultant for International Crisis Group. Vivid footage of the fighting was posted on social media over the weekend, including what appeared to be large numbers of prisoners being freed from jails in captured cities. The Taliban frequently target prisons to release incarcerated fighters to replenish their ranks. On Friday, the insurgents seized their first provincial capital, Zaranj in southwestern Nimroz on the border with Iran, and followed it up by taking Sheberghan in northern Jawzjan province the next day. US airstrikes Fighting was also reported on the outskirts of Herat in the west, and Lashkar Gah and Kandahar in the south. The pace of Taliban advances has caught government forces flatfooted, but they won some respite late Saturday after US warplanes bombed Taliban positions in Sheberghan. Also read | US orders B-52 bombers, Spectre gunships to target Taliban, says report "US forces have conducted several air strikes in defence of our Afghan partners in recent days," Major Nicole Ferrara, a Central Command spokesperson, told AFP in Washington. Sheberghan is the stronghold of notorious Afghan warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum, whose militiamen and government forces were reportedly retreating east to Mazar-i-Sharif in Balkh province. Dostum has overseen one of the largest militias in the north and garnered a fearsome reputation fighting the Taliban in the 1990s -- along with accusations his forces massacred thousands of insurgent prisoners of war. A retreat of his fighters dents the government's recent hopes that militias could help the overstretched military. The government has said little about the fall of the provincial capitals, other than vowing to retake them. That has been a familiar response to most Taliban gains in recent weeks, although government forces have largely failed to make good on promises to retake dozens of districts and border posts. Hundreds of thousands of Afghans have been displaced by the recent fighting, and on Saturday, 12 people were killed when their bus was struck by a roadside bomb as they tried to flee Gardez in Paktia province. "I lost my mother, father, two brothers, two sisters-in-law and other members of the family," said Noor Jan. The withdrawal of foreign forces is due to finish at the end of this month ahead of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The US-led invasion sparked by 9/11 toppled the first Taliban regime in 2001.

Taliban seize two more Afghan provincial capitals in northern blitz

The Taliban on Saturday has issued a statement saying the group does not recognise the Afghan government as a legitimate system

Taliban says it doesn’t recognise afghan government amid ongoing Peace Talks

Amid scenes of chaos, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani urged thousands of prominent people in a gathering to help him decide the fate of about 400 Taliban prisoners, which includes those involved in serious crimes.&nbsp;

Ghani said these words as he opened three-day Loya Jirga, a traditional assembly of tribal elders and other stakeholders sometimes organised to take a call on controversial issues.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Chaotic scenes witnessed in the Afghanistan Council after an independent parliamentarian, Belqis Roshan, was assaulted following her criticism of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (<a href="https://twitter.com/ashrafghani?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ashrafghani</a>) over the release of Taliban prisoners <a href="https://t.co/0uUiryVWgN">pic.twitter.com/0uUiryVWgN</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1291722007994867713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-grand-assembly-gathers-to-decide-fate-of-taliban-prisoners-318807">Afghan grand assembly gathers to decide fate of Taliban prisoners</a>

The release of these Taliban terrorists, some of whom are also facing the death penalty, didn't go down well with Roshan Belqis, an independent lawmaker, who criticised Loya Jirga and Ghani for deliberations.&nbsp;

As Ghani began speaking, she stood up and displayed a banner that read: "Redeeming Taliban is national treason."

Belqis was asked to leave and then as she began running with the banner, she was chased down by a pro-Talibani leader Nasimah Niazi, who brutally pushed her towards the floor.

The Afghan government has already released about 5,000 Talibani prisoners but is struggling to make a call on remaining 400 prisoners, some of which are accused of gruesome crimes.

As per an earlier agreement signed between the terror group and the US, the release of Talibani inmates is a pre-condition for intra-Afghan talks.

Ghani, during his address, suggested that the prisoners should be released, if talks need to go ahead.

"If they are not freed, not only would they continue the war but they would intensify it. But it was not possible to release them without consulting the nation," the Afghan president said.&nbsp;

However, he said he would endorse any decision taken by the assembly.&nbsp;

Amid scenes of chaos, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani urged thousands of prominent people in a gathering to help him decide the fate of about 400 Taliban prisoners, which includes those involved in serious crimes.

Amid scenes of chaos, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani urged thousands of prominent people in a gathering to help him decide the fate of about 400 Taliban prisoners, which includes those involved in serious crimes. Ghani said these words as he opened three-day Loya Jirga, a traditional assembly of tribal elders and other stakeholders sometimes organised to take a call on controversial issues. Chaotic scenes witnessed in the Afghanistan Council after an independent parliamentarian, Belqis Roshan, was assaulted following her criticism of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) over the release of Taliban prisoners pic.twitter.com/0uUiryVWgN — WION (@WIONews) August 7, 2020 × Also read | Afghan grand assembly gathers to decide fate of Taliban prisoners The release of these Taliban terrorists, some of whom are also facing the death penalty, didn't go down well with Roshan Belqis, an independent lawmaker, who criticised Loya Jirga and Ghani for deliberations. As Ghani began speaking, she stood up and displayed a banner that read: "Redeeming Taliban is national treason." Belqis was asked to leave and then as she began running with the banner, she was chased down by a pro-Talibani leader Nasimah Niazi, who brutally pushed her towards the floor. The Afghan government has already released about 5,000 Talibani prisoners but is struggling to make a call on remaining 400 prisoners, some of which are accused of gruesome crimes. As per an earlier agreement signed between the terror group and the US, the release of Talibani inmates is a pre-condition for intra-Afghan talks. Ghani, during his address, suggested that the prisoners should be released, if talks need to go ahead. "If they are not freed, not only would they continue the war but they would intensify it. But it was not possible to release them without consulting the nation," the Afghan president said. However, he said he would endorse any decision taken by the assembly.

Chaos erupts as Afghanistan holds meeting to decide fate of Talibani prisoners

Qatar is likely to host the initial round of peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government after the two foes complete an ongoing prisoner swap, a minister said Thursday.

The talks were originally supposed to have started March 10, but there have been repeated delays amid continued fighting and as the prisoner exchange drags on.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/27-taliban-terrorists-killed-16-injured-in-afghanistan-313991">27 Taliban terrorists killed, 16 injured in Afghanistan</a>

"There is a consensus that the beginning of the talks be held in Qatar," acting Afghan foreign minister Mohamad Haneef Atmar told reporters.

The Taliban have a political office in Qatar's capital Doha.

Atmar said 12 countries have offered to host peace talks, including Iran, Turkey, Qatar, Indonesia, Japan, Norway and Turkey.

The peace negotiations hinge on the prisoner swap, in which Kabul is expected to free some 5,000 Taliban prisoners in return for around 1,000 Afghan security force captives held by the insurgents.

So far, Afghan authorities have released 4,400 Taliban inmates, Atmar said, calling it "significant progress".

"The Taliban must now show goodwill for the start of intra-Afghan talks," Atmar added.

"Otherwise, they will be held responsible for the killing of hundreds more Afghans due to violence or corona (virus) before a date is fixed for the talks."

Afghanistan is currently struggling to curb the spread of COVID-19 infections, with more than 35,000 confirmed cases and some 1,000 deaths.

The prisoner exchange was agreed in a landmark deal between the Taliban and Washington signed in February, which primarily stipulated that all US and foreign forces would quit Afghanistan by May 2021.

In return, the Taliban made several security promises and pledged to hold peace talks once the prisoner release was complete.

Experts expect the talks to be a lengthy and complicated process with several rounds of negotiations held in different countries. 
&nbsp;

Qatar is likely to host the initial round of peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government after the two foes complete an ongoing prisoner swap, a minister said Thursday.

Qatar is likely to host the initial round of peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government after the two foes complete an ongoing prisoner swap, a minister said Thursday. The talks were originally supposed to have started March 10, but there have been repeated delays amid continued fighting and as the prisoner exchange drags on. Also read | 27 Taliban terrorists killed, 16 injured in Afghanistan "There is a consensus that the beginning of the talks be held in Qatar," acting Afghan foreign minister Mohamad Haneef Atmar told reporters. The Taliban have a political office in Qatar's capital Doha. Atmar said 12 countries have offered to host peace talks, including Iran, Turkey, Qatar, Indonesia, Japan, Norway and Turkey. The peace negotiations hinge on the prisoner swap, in which Kabul is expected to free some 5,000 Taliban prisoners in return for around 1,000 Afghan security force captives held by the insurgents. So far, Afghan authorities have released 4,400 Taliban inmates, Atmar said, calling it "significant progress". "The Taliban must now show goodwill for the start of intra-Afghan talks," Atmar added. "Otherwise, they will be held responsible for the killing of hundreds more Afghans due to violence or corona (virus) before a date is fixed for the talks." Afghanistan is currently struggling to curb the spread of COVID-19 infections, with more than 35,000 confirmed cases and some 1,000 deaths. The prisoner exchange was agreed in a landmark deal between the Taliban and Washington signed in February, which primarily stipulated that all US and foreign forces would quit Afghanistan by May 2021. In return, the Taliban made several security promises and pledged to hold peace talks once the prisoner release was complete. Experts expect the talks to be a lengthy and complicated process with several rounds of negotiations held in different countries.

Qatar likely to hold peace talks between Afghanistan-Taliban: Minister

The United Nations (UN) on Sunday lambasted the Taliban and Afghan security forces, blaming them for "deliberately" carrying out attacks on healthcare workers and facilities at a time when the country&nbsp;is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

"At a time when an urgent humanitarian response was required to protect every life in Afghanistan, both the Taliban and Afghan national security forces carried out deliberate acts of violence that undermined healthcare operations," United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) chief Deborah Lyons said in a statement, reported AFP.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-taliban-kidnap-dozens-of-civilians-amid-peace-efforts-officials-say-307535">Afghan Taliban kidnap dozens of civilians amid peace efforts, officials say</a>

The UNAMA said it had registered 12 such incidents of violence between March 11 and May 23 against medical professionals and facilities.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/western-powers-support-afghanistans-decision-to-not-release-taliban-prisoners-307334">Western powers support Afghanistan's decision to not release Taliban prisoners</a>

Out of the 12 attacks, the UN agency held the Taliban responsible for eight of these and blamed Afghan forces for three attacks.&nbsp;

Amongst all the attacks, one of the deadliest was the one on a Kabul-based maternity hospital on May 12, which so far remains unclaimed.&nbsp;

As many as 25 people died, including 16 mothers, in the attack on the maternity ward of Dasht e-Barchi hospital in Kabul, according to international charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF).&nbsp;

This report came at a time when Afghanistan is struggling to contain the cases of coronavirus, which has so far infected 28,833 people, including 581 deaths in the country.&nbsp;

"Perpetrating targetted attacks on healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when health resources are already stretched and of critical importance to the civilian population, is particularly reprehensible," Fiona Frazer, UNAMA Chief of Human Rights, said.&nbsp;

The United Nations (UN) on Sunday lambasted the Taliban and Afghan security forces, blaming them for "deliberately" carrying out attacks on healthcare workers and facilities at a time when the country is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

The United Nations (UN) on Sunday lambasted the Taliban and Afghan security forces, blaming them for "deliberately" carrying out attacks on healthcare workers and facilities at a time when the country is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic. "At a time when an urgent humanitarian response was required to protect every life in Afghanistan, both the Taliban and Afghan national security forces carried out deliberate acts of violence that undermined healthcare operations," United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) chief Deborah Lyons said in a statement, reported AFP. Also read | Afghan Taliban kidnap dozens of civilians amid peace efforts, officials say The UNAMA said it had registered 12 such incidents of violence between March 11 and May 23 against medical professionals and facilities. Also read | Western powers support Afghanistan's decision to not release Taliban prisoners Out of the 12 attacks, the UN agency held the Taliban responsible for eight of these and blamed Afghan forces for three attacks. Amongst all the attacks, one of the deadliest was the one on a Kabul-based maternity hospital on May 12, which so far remains unclaimed. As many as 25 people died, including 16 mothers, in the attack on the maternity ward of Dasht e-Barchi hospital in Kabul, according to international charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF). This report came at a time when Afghanistan is struggling to contain the cases of coronavirus, which has so far infected 28,833 people, including 581 deaths in the country. "Perpetrating targetted attacks on healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when health resources are already stretched and of critical importance to the civilian population, is particularly reprehensible," Fiona Frazer, UNAMA Chief of Human Rights, said.

UN blames Afghan forces, Taliban for 'deliberately' targetting healthcare

Taliban has killed nearly two dozen people from Afghan police and pro-government fighters in two attacks, officials said on Monday.

The two attacks late on Sunday came at a time when Taliban and government are preparing for the peace talks.&nbsp;

On Sunday, the insurgent group killed at least six soldiers and 13 police and government-backed militiamen at several outposts near a police headquarters building in northeastern Takhar province, provincial police spokesman Khalil Assir, said reported AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-says-no-to-afghan-negotiators-289164">Taliban says no to Afghan negotiators</a>

A wedding party was underway at the building and "the police bravely defended and prevented the Taliban from entering the celebration," Assir said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-government-selects-negotiators-for-talks-with-taliban-288863">Afghan government selects negotiators for talks with Taliban</a>

However, Mohammad Azam Afzali, a member of Takhar's provincial council, claimed that 17 security personnel and government-backed militiamen were killed in the fighting that carried on for at least seven hours.

In another attack yesterday, Taliban killed at least six soldiers at an army outpost in southern Zabul province, the defence ministry said, in a statement.&nbsp;

Four people were also injured when a sticky bomb tied to a small truck went off in Kabul city on Monday morning, the Interior ministry said.&nbsp;

Following the US-Taliban deal, the talks between the insurgent group and Afghan government have been stalled over prisoner exchange and Taliban complaining about Afghanistan administration's negotiating team. &nbsp;

The talks between both sides were due to begin in Oslo on March 10, but no update has been shared yet.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Taliban has killed nearly two dozen people from Afghan police and pro-government fighters in two attacks, officials said on Monday. The two attacks late on Sunday came at a time when Taliban and government are preparing for the peace talks.

Taliban has killed nearly two dozen people from Afghan police and pro-government fighters in two attacks, officials said on Monday. The two attacks late on Sunday came at a time when Taliban and government are preparing for the peace talks. On Sunday, the insurgent group killed at least six soldiers and 13 police and government-backed militiamen at several outposts near a police headquarters building in northeastern Takhar province, provincial police spokesman Khalil Assir, said reported AFP. Also read | Taliban says no to Afghan negotiators A wedding party was underway at the building and "the police bravely defended and prevented the Taliban from entering the celebration," Assir said. Also read | Afghan government selects negotiators for talks with Taliban However, Mohammad Azam Afzali, a member of Takhar's provincial council, claimed that 17 security personnel and government-backed militiamen were killed in the fighting that carried on for at least seven hours. In another attack yesterday, Taliban killed at least six soldiers at an army outpost in southern Zabul province, the defence ministry said, in a statement. Four people were also injured when a sticky bomb tied to a small truck went off in Kabul city on Monday morning, the Interior ministry said. Following the US-Taliban deal, the talks between the insurgent group and Afghan government have been stalled over prisoner exchange and Taliban complaining about Afghanistan administration's negotiating team. The talks between both sides were due to begin in Oslo on March 10, but no update has been shared yet.

Nearly 25 from Afghan forces, pro-govt groups killed in Taliban attacks