The Taliban killed three civilians and two policemen in two separate IED attacks in Helmand province. The Obama administration’s top spokesman confirmed that the “zero option,” where no US troops would be stationed in Afghanistan after 2014, is still being considered.
Six days before the Taliban opened their de facto embassy in Qatar, the group published a defense and justification of suicide bombings.
White House happy to talk peace terms with Taliban
In Pakistan, army adamant on fighting the other Taliban
A brand-new US military headquarters in Afghanistan. And nobody to use it.
Pakistan Taliban sack spokesperson in sign of growing divisions
The Taliban killed 17 women and children in an IED attack in Herat and gunned down a tribal leader in Uruzgan. A Slovakian soldier was killed and 3 more were wounded in an insider attack at Kandahar Air Field.
US Considers Faster Pullout in Afghanistan
US considers pulling all troops from Afghanistan: officials
Senior Taliban commanders, including two deputy provincial shadow governors, have been killed in joint Afghan and Coalition security operations targeting militant hideouts in Jawzjan province. Two other prominent Taliban commanders were killed in Faryab province.
Kabul-Kandahar Highway Embattled as Taliban Intensifies Attacks on Oil Tankers
The military said that 14 Afghan soldiers were killed in attacks and bombings in Helmand, Kandahar, Paktika, Kabul, and Kunar. Security forces killed 18 Taliban fighters during a clash in Jawzjan province.
Insurgents increasing in east Afghanistan, but Afghan army sees gains
Karzai wants US to protect Afghanistan from Pakistan
Abu Saif al Jaziri is an al Qaeda “paramilitary commander”; Maulana Akhtar Zadran is from the same tribe as Mullah Sangeen, who works closely with al Qaeda and is thought to be holding the only US soldier who has been captured in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan military forces fighting in mountainous border still face aggressive fight
Pakistan accused of aiding Nangarhar rebels
Special Report: Taliban Suicide Bombings in Review
Pakistan – No radical shift in new anti-terror strategy
Advisers in Afghanistan savor chance to get out of the office
The Taliban claim that an official spokesman’s email account was hacked by “intelligence agencies” who caused it to issue a false declaration that a Taliban ceasefire would take place during Ramadan.
In Uruzgan, a suicide bomber wearing a police uniform detonated at a dining facility, killing 12 policemen. In Kandahar, a suicide bomber killed a border police commander.
GAO report conflicts with Army over battlefield intelligence system
The Taliban killed six schoolchildren in an IED attack in Helmand, the senior female police officer in Helmand in a shooting outside of her home, a police officer in Nangarhar, and an ISAF soldier in the west. Three aid workers were kidnapped in Herat.
Taliban ignoring talks overtures: US official
Afghanistan, Pakistan at loggerheads over peace efforts
Pakistan builds new training centres for Taliban
Taliban deny power-sharing concept with Afghan government
Four Nepalese security guards and three Afghans were killed in a Taliban suicide assault in Kabul. Three Taliban fighters and a member of the Afghan Local Police were killed in a clash in Kunduz. The Taliban killed three civilians in an IED attack in Farah.
The suicide assault team attacked a base in an area of Kabul where logistics and other contracting companies are located, killing seven people, including four Nepalese guards.