KABUL, Afghanistan: The Taliban have announced the start of their spring offensive even as they talk peace with the United States and prepare for a significant gathering to find an end to the protracted war and an eventual withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
In a lengthy missive distributed in five languages, including English, the Taliban say the fighting would continue while foreign fighters are in Afghanistan and supported by Afghan security forces.
The announcement says, “mujahedeen brothers are requested to launch the jihadi operation with complete sincerity and pure intentions.”
It was written to Taliban fighters on the ground. It calls for coordination, strict adherence to the Taliban’s military command structure and exhorts fighters to avoid civilian casualties.
Still preparations are underway for Afghan-to-Afghan talks to begin April 19.
Taliban announce launch of spring offensive amid peace talks
Taliban announce launch of spring offensive amid peace talks
- The announcement says, “mujahedeen brothers are requested to launch the jihadi operation with complete sincerity and pure intentions”
- It was written to Taliban fighters on the ground
Spain to ban social media for children under 16, prime minister tells WGS
- Pedro Sanchez: Our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone
- Sanchez: A space of addiction, abuse, pornography, manipulation, violence. We will no longer accept that, and we will protect them from the digital Wild West
DUBAI: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Tuesday that his country will seek to ban children aged under 16 from using social media platforms.
Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai, Sanchez outlined a six-point plan he said would help restore the “promised land” it once was.
“Our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone,” he said.
“A space of addiction, abuse, pornography, manipulation, violence. We will no longer accept that, and we will protect them from the digital Wild West.”
The announcement follows a similar ban by Australia last year. French lawmakers also passed a bill last week that would ban those aged under 15 from accessing social platforms. The UK has also announced it is considering new controls.
To enforce the ban, the Spanish government will reportedly seek to order platforms to put in place stringent age verification methods. It also plans to introduce a new bill next week to hold social media executives accountable for illegal and hateful content.
Sanchez added that Spain had joined five other European countries that he labelled the “Coalition of the Digitally Willing” to coordinate and enforce cross-border regulation.
