Afghanistan Times

KABUL – The Taliban have solidified their role as steadfast allies of al-Qaeda and various other radical jihadist organizations, excluding ISIS, according to recent analyses of their relationships. These ties are rooted in shared ideological beliefs and pragmatic needs, fostering a dangerous collaboration that poses a significant threat to global …

KABUL – In a major legal development, a U.S. Army soldier, Cole Bridges, also known as Cole Gonzales, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for attempting to assist the Islamic State (ISIS) in planning attacks on fellow American troops, the Department of Justice announced. Bridges, 24, will also …

KABUL – Thousands have converged in the Jamrud area for the “Pashtun Justice Jirga,” a powerful three-day gathering organized by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM). Under the leadership of Manzoor Pashteen, the Jirga is addressing critical issues such as forced disappearances, rising violence, and discrimination against Pashtuns. The assembly, originally …

In a significant escalation of tensions, Pakistani and Afghan border forces exchanged gunfire on Wednesday at the Nushki border, a crucial point linking Pakistan’s Balochistan province with Afghanistan. The confrontation reportedly ignited during repair work on the border fence conducted by Pakistani forces, as reported by state-run Pakistan Television. According …

In a significant counterterrorism operation, the FBI has arrested Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan man residing in Oklahoma City, who is accused of plotting a terrorist attack on U.S. soil on Election Day, November 5. The Justice Department announced the arrest on Tuesday, highlighting Tawhedi’s alleged affiliation with Daesh/ISIS. …

In a stark demonstration of its stringent judicial practices, the Taliban publicly flogged five individuals in Kandahar on Wednesday, October 9. Each person received 39 lashes for charges including adultery, sodomy, and theft, as confirmed by the Taliban’s Supreme Court. This incident is part of a broader trend, as the …

KABUL – As the United Nations prepares to host pivotal working group meetings on private sector development and narcotics control in Kabul, the Taliban have intensified their consultations with international donors and aid organizations. The discussions aim to address Afghanistan’s growing economic challenges and the ongoing narcotics crisis, building on …

KABUL – In a significant diplomatic move, China’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Zhao Xing, announced that China is ready to deepen its political and economic cooperation with Afghanistan’s interim government. Calling Afghanistan a “good neighbor,” Ambassador Zhao highlighted the substantial progress in political relations between the two countries. “China is a …

KABUL – The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has sounded the alarm, revealing that 12.4 million Afghans are now suffering from “severe” levels of food insecurity. According to its latest report, millions are struggling with the uncertainty of where their next meal will come from, as the humanitarian situation …

KABUL — The safety of Chinese nationals working on major development projects in Pakistan is increasingly jeopardized as separatist militants ramp up attacks, perceiving their presence as a significant threat to local resources and influence. In a recent incident, two Chinese workers were killed in a bombing near Karachi’s Jinnah …