Afghanistan news today
Here are the latest news updates from Afghanistan:
Breaking News
- Taliban fighters have captured the strategic city of Lashkar Gah in Helmand province, according to local officials. The city is a key hub for the Afghan government's military operations in the region. (Source: Al Jazeera)
- The United States has announced that it will withdraw its remaining troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, in accordance with a deal signed with the Taliban in February. (Source: The New York Times)
- The Afghan government has accused the Taliban of launching a series of attacks on civilians, including a bombing that killed at least 12 people in Kabul. (Source: Reuters)
Recent Developments
- The Taliban has announced the formation of a new government in Afghanistan, with Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada as the supreme leader. The move is seen as a significant step towards the group's goal of establishing an Islamic state in the country. (Source: BBC News)
- The United Nations has warned of a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, with millions of people at risk of displacement and starvation due to the ongoing conflict. (Source: UN News)
- The Afghan government has launched a new military operation against the Taliban in the southern province of Kandahar, in an effort to retake territory lost to the group. (Source: The Guardian)
International Reaction
- The United States has condemned the Taliban's capture of Lashkar Gah, calling it a "serious setback" for the Afghan government. (Source: The White House)
- The European Union has called for an immediate ceasefire in Afghanistan, and for all parties to engage in peace talks. (Source: EU News)
- Pakistan has urged the international community to support the Afghan government in its fight against the Taliban, and to help facilitate peace talks between the two sides. (Source: Dawn News)
Humanitarian Crisis
- The United Nations has reported that over 3.5 million people have been displaced by the conflict in Afghanistan, with many more at risk of displacement due to the ongoing fighting. (Source: UNHCR)
- The World Food Programme has warned that millions of people in Afghanistan are at risk of starvation due to a severe drought and the ongoing conflict. (Source: WFP)
- The International Committee of the Red Cross has reported that it has treated over 10,000 wounded civilians in Afghanistan in the past year, and has called for greater access to medical care for those affected by the conflict. (Source: ICRC)