U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan closed after suicide bombing on military base

A day after a suicide bombing at a U.S. military base in Afghanistan killed four Americans, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul announced it would shut down “as a temporary precautionary measure,” the Associated Press reported. The embassy said in a statement it was closing for “routine services” the day following the suicide attack on the Bagram […]

Suicide bombing at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan kills four and injures 17

According to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, two US service members and two US contractors died after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device inside Bagram Airfield. 16 US service members and one Polish soldier were injured in the blast. Those killed and wounded were waiting to participate in the Veteran’s Day 5 K run. The bomb […]

No delicious snacks: What Veterans Day really means

As I sometimes do, I am opening up this particular SOFREP space today, on this Veteran’s Day 2016, to a guest contributor.  It is an honor to be able to see what this day means to a 12-year old girl, a post-Millenial.  I think you will all agree, she does us proud. Veteran’s Day By Annalise […]

US Embassy in Kabul warns of potential terrorist attack at Serena Hotel

The US Embassy in Kabul issued a warning of a potential terrorist attack against foreigners staying at the Serena Hotel and guest house in PD-10. The warning describes the threat as multiple suicide bombings targeting both locations. The Serena Hotel has been attacked before. In 2015, 14 people died in a terrorist attack. The Taliban continue […]

On Street Where U.S. Special Forces Soldiers Died, Afghans Say: Taliban? What Taliban?

A day after a battle in this village on the outskirts of Kunduz, residents readily pointed out the smears of what they said was American blood on a packed-dirt street. But they were less forthcoming about whether there had been any Taliban in their neighborhood when the Americans were killed on Thursday. The dead-end street is so narrow, […]

Department of Defense identifies two Special Forces Soldiers killed in Afghanistan

According to the DoD press release, two 10th Group Special Forces Soldiers were killed in Kunduz, Afghanistan as a part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel on Nov 3. The US Army stated, Capt. Andrew D. Byers, 30, and Sgt. 1st Class Ryan A. Gloyer, 34, were both killed when “they came under fire during a train, advise and assist mission with Afghan security […]

Taliban Envoy Breaks Silence to Urge Group to Reshape Itself and Consider Peace

The Taliban’s internal debate over whether and how to negotiate with the Afghan government is playing out in the open, even as there have been renewed attempts to restart talks. Breaking with nearly 15 years of public silence, Sayed Muhammad Tayeb Agha, who until recently was the Taliban’s chief negotiator and head of their political […]

Taliban Gain Ground in Afghanistan as Soldiers Surrender Their Posts

Besieged Afghan officials in the southern province of Oruzgan said on Sunday that scores of regular Afghan soldiers had surrendered in the past week to the Taliban, a trend also occurring recently in other provinces. The latest case involved 41 Afghan National Army soldiers who surrendered and turned their base, the Mashal base in Chora […]