US reassures Afghanistan of support after troops' withdrawal

KABUL, Afghanistan

The US has reiterated its support for Afghanistan, particularly keeping the Kabul airport functional, even after departure of the international troops, said an official statement on Tuesday.

During a meeting with Ross Wilson, the charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar underlined the importance of continuing US financial and training assistance to the Afghan defense and security forces after the withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan, a Foreign Ministry statement said.

“The Charge d’Affaires of the United States Embassy, referring to the Bilateral Security Agreement between Afghanistan and the United States, spoke of continued cooperation in the development of Afghanistan’s security sector, particularly in the security of Kabul International Airport,” it added.

The US diplomat also extended an official invitation to the Afghan foreign minister for the forthcoming foreign ministers’ meeting of the international alliance against the Daesh/ISIS to be held in Italy later this month.

As per the US central command, up to 25% withdrawal from Afghanistan has been completed.

Violence in Afghanistan

A Taliban-claimed car bombing in the northern Baghlan province killed at least four soldiers, officials said on Tuesday.

The incident took place last evening in the Baghlan-e-Markazi district of the restive province linking the capital city of Kabul to a number of northern provinces.

According to the provincial police command, a multipurpose vehicle packed with explosives exploded near the police headquarters in the district, killing four security forces and injuring 28 others.

Taking responsibility for the attack, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a series of tweets that 41 security forces were killed in that assault.

Also on Tuesday, a minibus carrying security forces in the northern Parwan province was hit by a landmine in the provincial capital Charikar, killing at least three of them, confirmed local officials.

Violence has surged in the war-weary country since the US announced its troops will leave by Sept. 11.

Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry said on Sunday that it has documented 247 civilian casualties, allegedly caused by the Taliban in May. The insurgents, however, have rejected the government’s claim.