Afghanistan News highlights: US exit will stop IS attacks in Afghanistan, says Taliban

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for as many as five rockets that were fired at Kabul's international airport but were intercepted by a missile defense system, a US official said as the United States' nears the complete withdrawal of its troops from the city. Earlier on Sunday, American forces launched a drone strike in Kabul targeting a suicide bomber in a vehicle who was aiming to attack the airport. Stay tuned for updates.

That's all for today readers. Thank you for tuning in to our coverage of the Afghanistan crisis. For more latest news visit www.deccanherald.com.

US exit will stop IS attacks in Afghanistan, says Taliban

The Taliban's spokesman says the hardline Islamist group will crack down on Islamic State attacks and expects them to end once foreign forces leave the country. Read more

Qatar emerges as key player in Afghanistan after US pullout

Qatar played an outsized role in USefforts to evacuate tens of thousands of people from Afghanistan. Now the tiny Gulf Arab state is being asked to help shape what is next for Afghanistan because of its ties with both Washington and the Taliban, who are in charge in Kabul.

Qatar will be among global heavyweights on Monday when USSecretary of State Antony Blinken hosts a virtual meeting to discuss a coordinated approach for the days ahead, as the UScompletes its withdrawal from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the country.(AP)

First WHO flight since Taliban takeover lands in Afghanistan

A plane carrying desperately-needed medical supplies landed in Afghanistan on Monday, the World Health Organization said, a first since the Taliban took control of the country two weeks ago. Hospitals and clinics are rapidly running out of supplies in the war-ravaged country, and a deadly attack at Kabul airport Friday has further complicated the delivery of aid.(AFP)

Threat to Kabul airport remains 'real' and 'specific': Pentagon

The threat to Kabul airport remains "real" and "specific" as the United States winds down its withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Monday. "We're in a particularly dangerous time right now," Kirby told reporters. "The threat stream is still real, it's still active, and in many cases it's still specific."(AFP)

Pakistan says world must brace for ‘huge mess’ if its advice on Afghanistan ignored

Pakistan on Monday warned of potential spillovers from the Afghan crisis, saying the world would have to deal with a "huge mess” if its advice on the war-torn country was ignored. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the world must listen to Pakistan as "in the recent past, Pakistan’s advice had not been paid heed to, and if Pakistan and the prime minister’s advice was listened to, the situation would have been different." (PTI)

WHO opens air bridge to Afghanistan with medical supplies

A plane carrying World Health Organization medicines and health supplies landed in Afghanistan on Monday, the UN health agency said, the first shipment to get in since the country came under the control of the Taliban. "After days of non-stop work to find a solution, I am very pleased to say that we have now been able to partially replenish stocks of health facilities in Afghanistan and ensure that — for now – WHO-supported health services can continue," Ahmed Al Mandhari, WHO regional director for the eastern Mediterranean, said in a statement. (Reuters)

Islamic State claims responsibility for rocket attack on Kabul airport

Islamic State claimed responsibility for a rocket attack on Kabul airport on Monday, the group's Nasher News said on its Telegram channel. "By the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted Kabul International Airport with six Katyusha rockets," it said.

USanti-missile defences intercepted as many as five rockets fired at Kabul's airport early on Monday, a USofficial said.(Reuters)

Pakistan to deliver WHO medical supplies in Taliban-controlled Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan

Pakistan said on Monday that it would deliver WHO medical supplies to northern Afghanistan’s Mazar-e-Sharif, the fourth largest city of the country which fell to the Taliban on August 14. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan announced on Twitter that the country’s flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) would deliver the medical supplies of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in a cargo flight.

US moved 1,200 people from Kabul on Sunday: White House

The United States air lifted about 1,200 people from Kabul on Sunday, the White House said on Monday, as the massive evacuation from Afghanistan enters its final day.(Reuters)

EU to seek to stop mass Afghanistan migration flows, draft statement says

European Union interior ministers will say on Tuesday they are determined to act to prevent uncontrolled migration from Afghanistan, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters.

EU governments are eager to avoid a repeat of the chaotic influx of migrants in 2015 that caught the bloc unprepared and sowed divisions among EU states, fuelling support for far-right parties as camps in Greece and other countries swelled.

Russia calls on US to release Afghan reserves

Russia on Monday called on the United States to release Afghan central bank reserves that Washington blocked after the Taliban's takeover of Kabul earlier this month.

"If our Western colleagues are actually worried about the fate of the Afghan people, then we must not create additional problems for them by freezing gold and foreign exchange reserves," said the Kremlin's envoy to Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov.(AFP)

'All parties' should establish contact with Taliban & 'guide it actively': China to US

China has told the US that the Afghanistan situation has undergone fundamental changes and it is necessary for “all parties” to make contact with the Taliban and “guide it actively”, reiterating that America’s troop withdrawal may provide an opportunity for the resurgence of terrorist groups. Read more

There’s a way to get refugees out of Afghanistan after this week’s deadline — if the Taliban agrees

US President Joe Biden’s deadline of August 31 to complete US evacuation efforts from Afghanistan is fast approaching. And after last week’s bombing at the Kabul airport, the security situation for Afghans trying to flee the country has become even more perilous. Read more

EU says Afghanistan shows need for rapid-reaction force

EU governments must push ahead with a European rapid reaction force to be better prepared for future crises such as in Afghanistan, the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.(Reuters)

EU to seek to stop mass Afghanistan migration flows, draft statement says

European Union interior ministers will say on Tuesday that they are determined to act to prevent more "uncontrolled large-scale illegal migration movements" from Afghanistan, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters.

Ministers will gather for an emergency meeting on Tuesday in Brussels to discuss the fallout from the Afghanistan crisis.

The ministers will pledge to stop new security threats from Afghanistan for EU citizens, as well as making the right security checks for those evacuated, said the draft statement dated Aug. 28 and prepared for Tuesday's meeting.

Afghan men take pictures of a vehicle from which rockets were fired, as Taliban forces stand guard, in Kabul. Credit: Reuters Photo

Afghan situation raises new security questions: Rajnath Singh

The current happenings in Afghanistan have raised new security questions, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Monday, asserting the Central government is alert and capable of dealing with any situation.

He also said no anti-national force should be allowed to encourage terrorism from across the border by taking advantage of the developments in Afghanistan.

He was addressing the third Balramji Dass Tandon memorial lecture organised by Panjab University on the issue of national security.

A member of Taliban forces stands guard as Afghan men take pictures of a vehicle from which rockets were fired, in Kabul. Credit: Reuters Photo

At least 10 people, including children, were killed in a US airstrike in Kabul on Sunday, according to a report by TOLOnews quoting local residents.

Taliban condemns US attack in Kabul: Chinese media

A Taliban spokesman condemned the United States for launching an attack in Kabul without informing it first, in an interview on China's state television CGTN on Monday.

The spokesman told CGTN that it is unlawful for the United States to launch attacks in other countries at will.

There’s a way to get refugees out of Afghanistan after this week’s deadline — if the Taliban agrees

US President Joe Biden’s deadline of August 31 to complete US evacuation efforts from Afghanistan is fast approaching. And after last week’s bombing at the Kabul airport, the security situation for Afghans trying to flee the country has become even more perilous.

Read more

Taliban fighters stand guard near a damaged car (not pictured) after multiple rockets were fired in Kabul

Rockets flew across the Afghan capital on August 30 as the US raced to complete its withdrawal from Afghanistan, with the evacuation of civilians all but over and terror attack fears high. Credit: AFP Photo

UK government blasted over Afghan exit as hundreds left behind

The UK government on Sunday faced a torrent of criticism after its hurried withdrawal from Afghanistan ended, leaving hundreds eligible for relocation behind.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed a mission "unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes" after the UK airlifted over 15,000 people in the last two weeks.

Troops landed back at Brize Norton airbase in southern England on Sunday after Britain was forced to withdraw following the decision of its ally the United States to end its 20-year presence.

A girl stands next to a damaged car after multiple rockets were fired in Kabul

Rockets flew across the Afghan capital on August 30 as the US raced to complete its withdrawal from Afghanistan, with the evacuation of civilians all but over and terror attack fears high. Credit: AFP Photo

President Biden has been briefed on the rocket attack at the Kabul airport and told operations continue there, said Press Secretary Jen Psaki. She added that the president “has reconfirmed his order that commanders redouble their efforts to prioritise doing whatever is necessary to protect our forces on the ground.”

Taliban fighters investigate a damaged car after multiple rockets were fired in Kabul

Rockets flew across the Afghan capital on August 30 as the US raced to complete its withdrawal from Afghanistan, with the evacuation of civilians all but over and terror attack fears high. Credit: AFP Photo

Rockets fly in Kabul as US evacuations wind down

The sound of the airport's missile defence system could be heard by local residents, who also reported shrapnel falling into the street -- suggesting at least one rocket had been intercepted.

A US official told Reuters that as many as 5 rockets were fired at Kabul's airport. They were intercepted by a US anti-missile system. No initial reports of US casualties, the official adds.

The rockets fired towards the airport were intercepted by air defence systems, according to reports by local media quoting sources.

Dignified transfer of the remains of US Military service members who were killed by a suicide bombing at the Hamid Karzai International Airport

Members of the armed forces salute as others place one of the transfer cases containing the remains of US Military service members who were killed by a suicide bombing at the Hamid Karzai International Airport, into a transfer vehicle during a dignified transfer, at Dover Air Force Base. Credit: Reuters Photo

Two rockets were fired towards Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, according to unconfirmed reports by local journalists quoting residents.

It is unclear as to what the targets where or where the targets landed, according to a report by AFP.

US carries out air strike to stop car bomb in Kabul

The United States said it destroyed an explosive-laden vehicle with an air strike in Kabul on Sunday, hours after President Joe Biden warned of another terror attack in the capital as a massive airlift of tens of thousands of Afghans entered its last days.

Read more

Several rockets heard flying over Kabul, targets unclear, reports AFP

Where is Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban's supreme leader?

In the days since taking power in Afghanistan, a wide range of Taliban figures have entered Kabul -- hardened commandos, armed madrassa students and greying leaders back from years of exile.

Read more

In the days since taking power in Afghanistan, a wide range of Taliban figures have entered Kabul -- hardened commandos, armed madrassa students and greying leaders back from years of exile.

Read more

As Taliban tightens its grip, fears of retribution grow

When Taliban troops seized control of the Afghan capital two weeks ago, the invading units made a beeline for two critical targets: the headquarters of the National Security Directorate and the Ministry of Communications.

Read more

Syria says 'thunderous' US defeat only the first

Syria's foreign minister says the “thunderous defeat” by the United States in Afghanistan will lead to similar defeats for American troops in Syria and other parts of the world.

Read more

100 countries cite Taliban vow to allow continued departures

The Taliban has assured 100 countries that it will continue to allow foreigners and Afghans with foreign travel papers to leave the country "in a safe and orderly manner," even after the US troop withdrawal ends Tuesday, the countries said in a statement Sunday.

Read more

Where is Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban's supreme leader?

In the days since taking power in Afghanistan, a wide range of Taliban figures have entered Kabul -- hardened commandos, armed madrassa students and greying leaders back from years of exile.

There has been one major exception -- the group's supreme leader.

Read more

US should not recognise Taliban, says Democratic Senator Chris Murphy

The United States should not formally recognise the Taliban, a top American Senator from the ruling Democratic party has said, amid increasing signs that the Biden administration now considers the group as the defacto ruler of Afghanistan.

Read more

US investigating if civilians killed in Kabul air strike

The United States is investigating whether civilians may have been killed in anair strikeit launched to destroy a car laden with explosives in the Afghan capital Kabul, a spokesman for US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Sunday.

Read more