US cuts Afghanistan aid by $1b over Ghani-Abdullah feud

Washington: The United States is reducing aid to Afghanistan by $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion) and is prepared to cut a similar amount in 2021 because of the ongoing feud between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday.

“We will also initiate a review of all of our programs and projects to identify additional reductions, and reconsider our pledges to future donor conferences for Afghanistan,” Pompeo said in a statement after a day-long mediation mission to Kabul.