Security officials said that the Taliban killed three soldiers in IED attacks, and 13 Taliban fighters died in premature detonations in Sar-i-Pul and Helmand. Security officials also accused the Lashkar-e-Taiba of launching the suicide attack that targeted presidential candidate Dr. Abdullah.
Two court decisions provide insights into the career of Khairullah Khairkhwa, who is one of the five senior Taliban leaders recently transferred to Qatar in exchange for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
The Taliban killed seven civilians and five security personnel in yesterday’s suicide attack and bombing that targeted presidential candidate Abdullah’s car. Security forces killed four Taliban commanders in Helmand. Four Afghan soldiers and 27 Taliban fighters were killed during clashes throughout the country.
The Accelerating Spread of Terrorism
Exclusive: Afghan villagers recall when Bergdahl stumbled into their midst
US vacates Manas base in Central Asia as Russia’s clout rises
Afghan parliament approves anti-terrorist financing law
Official: 1,800 US Troops for Afghan Counterterror
The Taliban recorded the release of captured soldier Bowe Bergdahl. Throughout the exchange, Bergdahl is frisked by a special forces operator clearly looking for a possible suicide bomb.
WikiLeaks document backs up US soldier’s claim Bowe Bergdahl tried to contact Taliban
The five dangerous Taliban commanders will have the ability to support the Taliban even if they cannot leave Qatar for the next year.
The truth about Bowe Bergdahl
How Obama convinced his spies to support the Taliban prisoner release
Afghan Government Wants Full Freedom for Five Taliban Leaders
US says troop plan only guarantees NATO Afghan mission until end-2015
“We don’t believe in the peace process,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated just after US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the prisoner exchange might “be a new opening that can produce an agreement.”
Afghan president fumes at prisoner deal made behind his back: source
We lost soldiers in the hunt for Bergdahl, a guy who walked off in the dead of night
In addition to a statement from Mullah Omar, the Taliban has posted pictures of the Taliban commanders released from Guantanamo. The pictures show the jihadist leaders being greeted by their supporters and families in Qatar.
The Taliban has released a statement on the prisoner exchange that freed Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. The Taliban says that its five “prominent” leaders have been freed in exchange for an American soldier, and that it did not participate in direct negotiations with the US to complete the swap.
Pakistani Military Attacks Kunar With Rockets, Helicopters
The five Taliban commanders exchanged for Sgt. Bergdahl were all deemed “high” risks to the US and its allies by Joint Task Force Guantanamo. All of them were closely allied with al Qaeda prior to their detention. Two of them have been wanted for war crimes by the UN.
Violence Against Afghan Journalists Hits New Heights in 2014
Obama’s Afghanistan pullout may end domination of drones
Amid drawdown, fears of Taliban resurgence and economic collapse
Mapping special operations forces raids against al Qaeda and allied groups in Afghanistan shows that al Qaeda’s network has remained active in Afghanistan up until ISAF ceased issuing press releases on its targeting in June 2013.
Hagel: Afghan anti-terror planning still underway
CIA drone strike program in Pakistan winding down
As the US prepares to exit Afghanistan, officials are starting to realize that al Qaeda still maintains a strong presence in the country.
As Obama draws down, al Qaeda grows in Afghanistan