Both Abdullah and Ghani held oath taking ceremonies in capital Kabul on 9th of March, further fueling political tensions amid ongoing efforts to find a negotiated political settlement to ongoing violence
The 203rd Thunder Corps in a statement said the Afghan forces effectively responded to a Taliban attack in Sahak area of Zurmat district, killing at least six militants
Prior to the latest rift, the rejuvenated yet fragile Afghan peace process faced deadlocks as differences persisted between Kabul and the Taliban over a proposed exchange of prisoners
In the Afghan capital, Kabul, funerals were held for the victims of a deadly attack on an Sikh temple. Coffins were laid out and dozens of mourners paid their respects on March 26, a day after at least 25 worshipers were killed in a militant attack. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility
The U.N. estimates there are about 1.6 million orphans in Afghanistan. While some children are orphaned due to drugs, the majority are orphans because they lost their parents in the ongoing war
According to the U.N. report, 3,493 civilians were killed last year and 6,989 were injured. While fewer civilians were hurt or killed by ISIS fighters, more civilians became casualties at the hands of the Taliban and Afghan security forces and their American allies
The nearly seven thousand internally displaced people in Afganistan are suffering from the extremely cold winter this year. The National Disaster Management Authority says 19 people have died from the extreme cold in January and there are concerns more could die if aid is not forthcoming
The votes for Ghani represent 9.6% of the registered electorate, said Thomas Ruttig of the Afghanistan Analysts Network, while those for Abdullah 7.5%. While enjoying so little consensus, each of the two candidates claims a legitimate victory, further polarizing the political landscape
NATO Defence Ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss a proposal to integrate some of the anti-Daesh coalition forces to NAT0’s mission in Iraq
As Afghanistan grapples with the possibility of a peace deal, the future of millions of Afghan refugees also looks a little more hopeful. United Nations and other officials at a refugee conference in Pakistan warn that peace alone will not be enough to send them home