December 2003
The U.S. Provides $75 Million to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees - 2003-12-31
The U.S. government announced a $75 million aid package to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, primarily aimed at helping refugees in Africa and South…
Voting on the Draft Constitution of Afghanistan Has Been Suspended
Voting on Afghanistan's new draft constitution has been suspended due to disagreements over power-sharing and ethnic minority recognition. Afghan leaders, including Hamid Karzai, are seeking…
Natural Disasters and Government Disasters, Mohsen Younesi - 2003-12-30
The article criticizes the Iranian government for rejecting Israeli aid during a natural disaster while questioning its priorities and handling of national resources. It highlights…
US Military Forces Kill 10 Suspected Insurgents in Afghanistan - 2003-12-30
US military forces conducted a major operation in Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of 10 suspected insurgents and the arrest of over 100 individuals. The…
Identity of One of the Pakistani Suicide Bombers Revealed - 2003-12-30
The identity of one of the suicide bombers who attempted to assassinate Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has been revealed as Muhammad Jameel, a member of…
Identification of One of the Attackers on Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan - 2003-12-29
A suicide bomber who targeted Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has been identified as Muhammad Jamil, a member of the Jaish-e-Mohammed group. This incident highlights ongoing…
Taliban Remnants Claim Responsibility for Sunday’s Explosion in Kabul
The Taliban remnants have claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Kabul that killed five Afghan security officials and promised further attacks. This comes as…
Voting by Representatives of the Loya Jirga on the Future Government of Afghanistan - 2003-12-29
The Loya Jirga in Kabul is voting on the future government of Afghanistan amid ongoing violence. President Hamid Karzai is advocating for a strong presidential…
The International Community Rushes to Aid Earthquake Victims in Bam
An earthquake in Bam, Iran, has left thousands homeless and caused significant casualties, with estimates of 20,000 dead and 30,000 injured. The international community, including…
Disagreement Over Presidential Powers at the Loya Jirga Meeting - 2003-12-27
At the Loya Jirga in Kabul, representatives are debating a new constitution ahead of upcoming presidential elections. There is a significant disagreement over the extent…
Rescue Dogs Save Twenty People from Earthquake Rubble
Rescue dogs have successfully saved twenty individuals trapped under rubble following an earthquake in Iran. The use of these dogs, previously controversial due to religious…
Four Al-Qaeda Suspects Killed by Coalition Soldiers in Afghanistan - 2003-12-27
Four Al-Qaeda suspects were killed by U.S.-led coalition soldiers in Afghanistan after an ambush on an Afghan intelligence officer that resulted in his death. This…
President Bush: America Faces a Time Full of Challenges - 2003-12-27
President Bush addressed the challenges America faces due to ongoing military operations abroad, praising soldiers and volunteers. He emphasized the sacrifices made by service members…
India and Afghanistan Strongly Condemn the Failed Assassination of the President of Pakistan
India and Afghanistan condemned the failed assassination attempt on Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf, which resulted in civilian casualties. Both countries expressed their disapproval of the…
Explosion in Central Kabul - 2003-12-25
An explosion occurred in Kabul at a UN complex, causing minor damage but no casualties. This incident follows recent rocket attacks in the city, raising…
Report by Nasrin Mahdavi: Interview with Dr. Changiz Pehlavan about Their Observations in Afghanistan - 2003-12-25
Dr. Ghahreman shares insights from his trip to Afghanistan, highlighting the country's progress and ongoing issues. The interview with Dr. Changiz Pehlavan provides a deeper…
Hamid Karzai: Afghanistan Needs a Central Power to Establish Unity - 2003-12-24
Hamid Karzai has firmly advocated for a strong presidential system in Afghanistan, rejecting calls for a parliamentary system. This stance reflects his belief in the…
Report by Nasrin Mahdavi: Interview with Dr. Chengiz Pahlavan - December 23, 2003
The article discusses the ongoing Loya Jirga in Afghanistan, suggesting that the draft constitution is likely to be approved with minor amendments. Nasrin Mahdavi interviews…
Islamic World Leaders Surprised Iran's Foreign Ministry
The international conference on 'The Islamic World: Challenges and Opportunities' held by Iran's Foreign Ministry faced low attendance, with only about 60 out of 100…
Four Rockets Hit Kabul - December 22, 2003
Four rockets struck Kabul while the Loya Jirga was discussing a new constitution, with no reported casualties. Taliban remnants are suspected of the attack, and…
The U.S. is establishing bases in southern and eastern Afghanistan - 2003-12-22
The U.S. plans to create military bases in southern and eastern Afghanistan to enhance security for aid workers, as stated by General David Barno. This…
Audio Tape of Ayman al-Zawahiri Broadcast by Al Jazeera - 2003-12-20
An audio tape of Ayman al-Zawahiri was broadcast by Al Jazeera, with U.S. intelligence officials confirming its likely authenticity. In the tape, al-Zawahiri threatens to…
Peacekeepers' Operations in Afghanistan Expand Beyond Kabul
NATO has authorized the expansion of peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan beyond Kabul, including German troops in Kunduz. This decision involves 19 NATO member countries and…
Under the Microscope: Abdulaziz Hakim's Statements Regarding Iran and War Compensation - 2003-12-19
Abdulaziz Hakim visited London and made statements concerning Iran and war compensation, while Dr. Alireza Noori Zadeh discussed this along with Iran's signing of an…
Indonesia Accuses 4 Individuals of Ties to Al-Qaeda Terror Network - 2003-12-18
Indonesia has accused four individuals of having links to Al-Qaeda as part of a broader investigation into terrorism in Southeast Asia. The suspects were previously…
Controversy on the Fourth Day of the Loya Jirga Meeting in Kabul - 2003-12-17
Malalai Joya, a representative from Farah province, accused some colleagues of being war criminals during the Loya Jirga meeting, leading to a heated response from…
The Strategic Highway from Kabul to Kandahar Reopened
The strategic highway from Kabul to Kandahar has been reopened by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, with significant funding from the U.S. government. This development is…
Three Rockets Hit Kabul Hours Before the Third Day of the Loya Jirga - 2003-12-16
Three rockets struck Kabul just before the third day of the Loya Jirga, but no casualties were reported. The Loya Jirga participants are discussing the…
President Bush Declares 2003 a Year of Goal Evolution
President Bush highlighted significant domestic achievements in 2003 during a press conference, emphasizing bipartisan cooperation and military support for Iraq and Afghanistan. He noted economic…
President Bush Describes the Fall of Saddam Hussein's Regime as an Achievement of His Administration - 2003-12-13
President Bush highlighted the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime as a key achievement of his administration in his weekly address. He emphasized the government's actions…
Taliban Fighters Have Turned to Homemade Bombs
Taliban fighters in Afghanistan are increasingly using homemade bombs to target U.S. soldiers, a tactic inspired by anti-American insurgents in Iraq. Recent bombings have resulted…
Afghanistan's Loya Jirga Postponed
The Loya Jirga in Afghanistan, tasked with constitutional decisions, has been postponed. This event involves Afghan political leaders and is significant as it reflects ongoing…
Loya Jirga Session Opens on Sunday in Kabul - 2003-12-13
The Loya Jirga session is set to open in Kabul, where intense discussions on a new constitution are expected. Hamid Karzai emphasizes the need for…
Delay Again in Convening the Loya Jirga - 2003-12-12
The Loya Jirga in Afghanistan has been delayed again, now by 24 hours, due to the late arrival of several delegations. The session, which is…
President Bush Officially Declares December 10 as Human Rights Day in America
President Bush has declared December 10 as Human Rights Day in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of global freedom and democracy. He highlighted ongoing efforts…
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar: American Forces Have Lost Their Morale
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar asserts that U.S. forces in Afghanistan are demoralized and losing the conflict. He expresses confidence in the success of armed opposition against the…
In an attack on a suspected terrorist base in eastern Afghanistan, 8 people including 6 children were killed - 2003-12-10
A U.S. military attack on a suspected terrorist base in eastern Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of 8 individuals, including 6 children. This incident highlights…
Hamid Karzai Threatens Not to Participate in Afghan Elections
Hamid Karzai has threatened not to run for re-election if the Loya Jirga opts for a government system with a prime minister. He argues that…
Nazi Baghlari's Report: Holding a Loya Jirga for the Drafting of Afghanistan's Constitution - 2003-12-10
After a year of efforts, Afghanistan's draft constitution has been prepared and distributed to representatives. The United Nations is advocating for security to be established…
Possibility of Taliban Insurgents Attacking the Loya Jirga Gathering in Kabul - 2003-12-09
U.S. officials warn of potential Taliban attacks on the Loya Jirga in Kabul, where a new constitution is to be discussed. Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S.…
NATO Will Not Expand Its Role in Iraq - 2003-12-09
NATO Secretary General George Robertson announced that NATO will not expand its role in Iraq as it focuses on Afghanistan. He indicated that a larger…
Russia Approves Passage of German Soldiers and Military Equipment Through Its Territory
Russia has granted permission for German military personnel and equipment to transit through its territory to Afghanistan for peacekeeping efforts. This cooperation highlights the active…
The Largest Ground Operation of the U.S. Army in Afghanistan Against Remnants of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda Begins - 2003-12-08
The U.S. Army has launched its largest ground operation in Afghanistan against Taliban and Al-Qaeda remnants, involving around 2,000 coalition soldiers. This comes amid investigations…
Three European Tourists Kidnapped in Southeastern Iran - 2003-12-08
Three European tourists, two Germans and one Irishman, were kidnapped while traveling by bicycle in southeastern Iran, specifically in Sistan and Baluchestan province. The kidnappers…
According to a report, Al-Qaeda is transferring most of its terrorist operations to Iraq - 2003-12-08
A report indicates that Al-Qaeda is shifting its operations to Iraq, viewing it as a new battlefield against the U.S. This information comes from Taliban…
9 Afghan Children Killed in U.S. Airstrike - 2003-12-07
Nine Afghan children were killed in a U.S. airstrike aimed at insurgents in Ghazni. U.S. military officials claim the strike was in response to an…
Investigation into the Death of 9 Afghan Children in Airstrike on Insurgent Positions - 2003-12-07
An investigation is underway regarding the deaths of 9 Afghan children in a U.S. airstrike targeting insurgents. U.S. officials express regret, while local accounts suggest…
Explosion in Kandahar - 2003-12-06
A bomb exploded in Kandahar, injuring at least 18 people, with 7 in serious condition. The police chief blamed the Taliban and insurgents, while Hamid…
Four Killed in Clash Between Police and Protesters in Southeastern Iran
In Saravan, southeastern Iran, four protesters were killed during clashes with police following a protest against the shooting of a local motorcyclist. The incident highlights…
U.S. Defense Secretary Says He Wants to Accelerate the Deployment of Iraqi Security Forces - 2003-12-06
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld expressed a desire to speed up the deployment of Iraqi security forces during his visit to Baghdad. He noted positive…
Colin Powell Calls for NATO to Take a Greater Role in Post-War Iraq - 2003-12-04
Colin Powell urged NATO to enhance its involvement in Iraq following the war, emphasizing the importance of peace and stability for member nations. This call…
Rocket Explodes Near U.S. Embassy in Kabul
A rocket exploded near the U.S. Embassy in Kabul shortly after a meeting between Afghan leader Hamid Karzai and U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.…
Two American Soldiers Injured in Grenade Attack in Kandahar
Two American soldiers were injured in a grenade attack in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where one soldier lost a leg. The attacker was apprehended by Afghan police…
Meeting of Diplomats and Intelligence and Military Officials from Afghanistan and Pakistan - 2003-12-03
Afghanistan and Pakistan held a meeting to improve relations and address border disputes and terrorism. The Trilateral Commission, which includes U.S. representatives, aims to resolve…
Clashes Between Coalition Forces and Unknown Insurgents in Southern Afghanistan - 2003-12-02
A clash in southern Afghanistan resulted in the death of an Afghan soldier while coalition forces engaged with unknown insurgents. The U.S. military reported no…