White House Warns of Deepening Economic Collapse in Afghanistan

Doha meeting hosted by the United Nations is set to be held on February 18 and 19.

Special Envoys of different countries for Afghanistan and international organisations will be among the participants of this meeting.

Earlier, it had been announced that the representatives of Afghan women and civil society, as well as representatives of the Taliban, will also attend the Doha meeting.

The United Nations' selection of representatives for Afghan women and civil society members to invite for the Doha meeting remains unclear. The Taliban has stated that their decision to participate in the Doha meeting will be determined after receiving a clarification regarding the agenda of the meeting from the United Nations.

At the press conference, Niklasson said that the Taliban has a positive outlook towards the Doha meeting and their participation.

However, he added that Taliban officials say that they will decide on their participation if the United Nations provides clarification about the meeting format and proceedings.

Niklasson said that the main purpose of his meeting with Taliban officials was to focus on the Doha meeting, and he discussed various issues, including the composition of the Taliban delegation for the meeting.

He added that during his four days in Kabul, he held discussions with Taliban officials, including the deputy Minister of Interior for Counter-narcotics, about the achievements of the ministry in the fight against narcotics.

He mentioned that in the near future, he is participating in a meeting of representatives from five Central Asian countries in Kyrgyzstan to discuss the fight against drugs in Afghanistan.

In their response, the media outlet questioned why Iran hasn't directed Hezbollah to engage in the conflict or taken direct action against Israel, instead of killing Sunnis in Syria.

Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Iran's Special Representative for Afghanistan, had stated in an interview with a state-controlled Iranian media outlet that, if necessary, more than one army of suicide bombers" will be deployed from Afghanistan to support Gaza.

Qomi considered the Taliban to be part of the "Axis of Resistance" in the region.

Iranian government designates the groups it supports, along with others combating the Western coalition and Israel in the region, as the "Axis of Resistance”.

On Thursday, Al-Mirsaad, a media outlet affiliated with the Taliban intelligence, responded to Kazemi Qomi's statements, saying that "both Iran and Israel are seeking to eliminate the Sunni Arabs in the Gaza Strip”.

It added, "What is Iran doing in Iraq? Who is Iran killing in Syria? What did Iran do in Yemen?”

In a statement published on the Al-Mirsaad website by Nasser Saeed, it has been written, "The matter of Palestine is, in fact, a concern for all Muslim nations and should be collectively addressed. However, Iran's ineffective policies in the Middle East have transformed the region into a significant threat."

This media outlet affiliated with the Taliban further elaborated, "Iran's support for Shia minorities in the area has contributed to their empowerment, leading to increased Iranian influence in the region. Such a policy has adversely impacted relations between Iran and the Gulf countries."

It added that one significant reason for the lack of interest from Arab countries in the Palestinian conflict is the strong relationship between Hamas and Iran.

“It is surprising that the forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran kill Sunnis in Syria and Iraq, destroy their houses and demolish their mosques; [how] they defend Palestine?" expressed Taliban-affiliated media.

It continued stating that Qomi's statements indicate that Afghanistan is a breeding ground for fighters, many of whom they are irresponsible.

Al-Mirsaad added that if Iran revises its failed and biased regional policies, relative security could potentially be established, paving the way for steps toward the creation of an independent Palestine.

He added that Republicans and Democrats will not tolerate the illegal detention of American citizens.

“I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation sending a strong message to the Taliban that America, both Republicans and Democrats alike, will not tolerate the illegitimate detention of American citizens,” said McCaul.

Claudia Tenney, a member of the US House of Representatives, also wrote on her website that Ryan Corbett, an American citizen, has been detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan since August 10, 2022, without any charges.

According to her, Corbett is being kept in a basement cell without regular access to a bathroom, sunlight or medical care.

Tenney emphasised on the immediate release of Corbett and wrote that they will continue to fight everyday to bring him back home.

According to the NRF's statement, the assault, which started at 10:30 PM on Wednesday and concluded by midnight, resulted in the death of one Taliban fighter and left two others wounded.

As of now, there has been no response from the Taliban regarding the NRF's claims.

The NRF further emphasised that their fighters emerged from the encounter without any casualties.

Muttaqi conveyed that the Doha meeting could signify a positive turn in the relationship between Afghanistan and the international community.

Zia Ahmad, Deputy Spokesperson for the Taliban's Foreign Ministry, outlined that the dialogue covered topics such as Afghanistan's regional collaborations, the imminent Doha meeting about Afghanistan, developmental assistance from the European Union, and consular services for Afghans in Europe.

He shared on the social platform X that the Taliban's Foreign Minister advocates for maintaining friendly relations with all nations globally.

Muttaqi, as per Ahmad, is hopeful that the Doha meeting will mark the commencement of a favorable phase for Afghanistan's global engagements.

The Taliban's Prime Minister Office also reported a meeting between the EU's Special Representative and Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the Taliban's Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, emphasizing the Doha meeting's significance for Afghanistan's international ties.

Citing Niklasson, the office relayed that the UN Special Coordinator for Afghanistan, Feridun Sinirlioğlu's report, underscores Afghanistan's progressive path and the need for the Taliban to represent their stance globally at the UN.

The statement further noted Niklason's mention of upcoming international announcements regarding developmental and humanitarian support for Afghanistan at the Doha meeting, highlighting the EU's focus on security, job opportunities, and peace establishment as paramount.

Abdul Kabir agreed with much of the UN Special Coordinator's report and welcomed initiatives like the functioning of Islamic and Asian banks, starting incomplete projects, and removing sanctions on Afghanistan's banking system.

However, he mentioned that with UNAMA's presence, another special representative for peace is unnecessary, asserting the restoration of full national sovereignty under the Islamic system in Afghanistan.

Additionally, the EU Representative for Afghanistan pledged support in combating drug trafficking and discussed upcoming deliberations on the matter with representatives from five Central Asian countries in Kyrgyzstan.