US Congressional Leader Interested In Dialogue With Taliban's Opposition

Since January 1, UNAMA has observed hijab decree enforcement campaigns in Kabul and Daikundi provinces, conducted by the group’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice and the Taliban’s police.

According to UNAMA, in Kabul, numerous women and girls have been warned and detained. Similar detentions have been reported in Nili City, Daikundi province.

In a statement issued on Thursday, UNAMA stressed that the agency is investigating allegations of ill-treatment and incommunicado detention of detainees, from the religious and ethnic minority communities, who are seemingly disproportionately affected.

UNAMA stressed that to secure release, a male guardian (mahram) must sign a letter guaranteeing future compliance, failing which they face punishment. Reports of demands for payment in exchange for release are also being probed by UNAMA.

Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNAMA, stated, “Physical violence in enforcement measures is particularly demeaning and dangerous for Afghan women and girls.”

“Detentions create significant stigma, increasing risk for Afghan women and undermining public trust,” added Otunbayeva.

UNAMA expressed concerns that the ongoing crackdown is leading to greater isolation of Afghan women due to fear of arbitrary arrest and fostering an environment where men enforce repressive measures at home.

The mission has discussed these issues with the Taliban authorities, including the group’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, and has called for the immediate release of those detained.

UNAMA reminded the Taliban that Afghanistan remains a party to seven key international human rights instruments. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2681 (2023) also urged the group to reverse policies restricting women and girls' human rights and fundamental freedoms.

An eyewitness recounted how some people were assaulted and apprehended by the Taliban, who also seized their phones.

Another eyewitness expressed their inability to photograph or record the aftermath of the blast due to the Taliban's threats, stating, "I couldn’t take pictures or videos because of the threats from the Taliban."

The explosion occurred on Thursday afternoon in the Darwaze Balkh area of the city's District 4. As of now, details about the explosion's cause and possible casualties remain unknown.

This blast in Mazar-i-Sharif is one of three explosions reported in Afghan cities on the same day, with earlier incidents in Kabul's Khairkhana and Dasht-e Barchi areas.

Since their ascent to power in 2021, the Taliban have enforced stringent restrictions on public and media access to information. Officials from hospitals and health centres are refraining from releasing casualty data following such incidents, citing Taliban threats for withholding information.

During his interview with Afghanistan International’s Aref Yaqubi, Schmitt noted that the strategic Bagram Air Base, which was once a prominent US military site in Afghanistan, is now under China's radar.

Reflecting on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Schmitt labelled it as disastrous, pointing out its global repercussions. He criticised the Biden administration for its handling of the withdrawal, terming it weak and poorly executed.

Schmitt also drew attention to the military equipment left by the US forces, which he claims are now being used for wrong purposes. He underscored the need for America to address these issues, emphasising discussions on human rights, women's rights, and freedom of expression in Afghanistan.

Despite his concerns about China's role in Afghanistan, Schmitt doubts that Americans would support another military intervention there.

Looking forward to the US presidential election, Schmitt voiced his support for Donald Trump, citing Trump's vision for a powerful America and his decisiveness as the deciding factors. He believes other world leaders like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin also recognise and respect Trump’s vision.

The Taliban convoy was allegedly targeting girls and detaining them in the Panjsad Family neighbourhood.

According to the AFF, the attack resulted in three Taliban members being killed and two others being injured. Two Taliban ranger vehicles also suffered partial damage.

The Taliban is yet to comment on the incident.

Local sources reported hearing an explosion around 7am on Thursday, in the vicinity of the Panjsad Family intersection, located in Kabul's Police District 15.

The AFF had previously issued a letter from a fighter addressing the women of Afghanistan, condemning the Taliban's arrest of young women for alleged dress code violations. The fighter pledged to stand for women's rights, deeming them as the true owners of Kabul.

This attack comes amidst a new surge of arrests by the Taliban targeting girls and women for “improper hijab”, which has sparked considerable backlash. A Taliban spokesperson claimed these women were briefly detained for dress code violations and subsequently, released.

Reports have also surfaced alleging the Taliban's torture of detained girls and their family members.

Salimi pointed out that the bulk of these investments are centred in Mashhad, largely due to its proximity to the Iran-Afghanistan border.

During his discussion with the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA) on Wednesday, he emphasised on the unique advantages which Afghan businesses offer in Iran, particularly their in-depth understanding of the market and tailored production and export strategies.

He specified that Afghan investors are predominantly engaged in packaging goods in high demand in Afghanistan, such as dried fruits, dried vegetables, and legumes.

Salimi estimated the total foreign investment in Iran for the current year at four billion dollars, with Afghan investors contributing around 15 percent. Of the approximately 700 foreign-invested projects in Iran, Afghan investors manage 150.

Additionally, Salimi noted a surge in truck traffic at the Dogharoun border crossing, where operational hours have been extended from 8 to 16 hours daily. He also confirmed that Afghan investors in Iran possess the necessary residency and work permits.