Following Attack On Foreign Tourists, Russia Warns Citizens Not To Travel To Afghanistan

In a statement, the ministry expressed concern over "terrorist attacks" on foreign tourists in Afghanistan.

On Friday evening, May 17, armed assailants attacked foreign tourists and their companions in the Bamiyan province.

According to the Taliban's Ministry of Interior, six people, including three foreign nationals and three Afghan citizens, were killed, and seven others, including four foreigners, were injured in the attack.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Referring to this attack, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned of the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.

The statement, published on the official website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, declared, "Given the current circumstances, the security situation in Afghanistan is extremely challenging, and we 'strongly' advise against traveling to this country for personal reasons, including tourism."

Meanwhile, Joe Sheffer, founder of the Safarat tourism agency, told AFP that if the attacks continue, "Afghanistan’s tourism industry will be over."

Sheffer said that after the armed attack in Bamiyan, several clients canceled their trips to Afghanistan, and the agency is reviewing its operations in the country.

He told AFP, "We will reduce group sizes... We are cancelling itineraries in remote locations... We are reducing walking in public places."

Turkish Airlines Resumes Flights To Kabul After Nearly Three Years

May 21, 2024, 15:51 GMT+1

The Turkish Embassy in Kabul announced that Turkish Airlines resumed its flights to Kabul on Tuesday.

This airline had suspended all its flights to Afghanistan in August 2021 following the Taliban's takeover.

Turkish Airlines officials previously stated that the airline would have four flights per week from Istanbul to Kabul and vice-versa.

Yesterday, the Turkish Ambassador in Kabul wrote in a note on the X social media platform that Turkish Airlines is returning to Afghanistan "strong and ready”.

Flydubai and Air Arabia have also resumed their flights to Afghanistan.

Pashto Speaker Poet & Critic Released From Taliban Detention

May 21, 2024, 14:45 GMT+1

Relatives of Ezatullah Zawab told Afghanistan International on Monday that he has been released from Taliban captivity and has reunited with his family.

He went missing on the Kabul-Nangarhar route last month, but it was later revealed that the Taliban officials had detained him.

Zawab is renowned among Pashtuns for his satirical and critical poems.

Sources close to him told Afghanistan International that the poet had posted a poem on Facebook a few days before his arrest, which the Taliban interpreted as a protest against their policies. At that time, the Taliban did not provide details about the reason for his arrest.

Ataullah, Zawab's son, wrote on his Facebook page that his father was detained by the Taliban while travelling to Jalalabad to finalise the new issue of the Meena magazine.

Zawab is a resident of Nangarhar, but after the fall of the previous government and the Taliban taking over power, he went to Kabul, where he owned both Meena magazine and a bookstore.

The Meena magazine, known for its literary, artistic, and humorous content, is very popular among young people. It began publication in 2002.

NRF Claims Killing Taliban Member In Baghlan

May 21, 2024, 12:34 GMT+1

National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF) announced on Monday that it attacked a Taliban outpost in the Pul-e Hesar district of Baghlan province.

The Front claimed that one Taliban member was killed and two other members were injured in this attack.

The Taliban have not yet responded to the claim by the NRF.

In recent weeks, this anti-Taliban group has reported multiple attacks on Taliban checkpoints and outposts.

US & UAE Officials Discuss Implementation Of UN Resolution About Afghanistan

May 21, 2024, 11:42 GMT+1

Thomas West, the United Nations’ Special Representative for Afghanistan met Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, on Monday.

They emphasised on the importance of joint cooperation to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2721 and to assist the Afghan people, particularly women.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on the X social media platform on Monday that the two sides discussed "collaboration on a pathway towards security, stability, and prosperity for all the people of Afghanistan, especially Afghan women”.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs' note did not specify which issues related to Resolution 2721, adopted on December 29, 2023, were discussed by Nusseibeh and West.

At that time, Nusseibeh was the UAE's ambassador to the United Nations and, alongside Western countries critical of the Taliban, proposed several resolutions in support of Afghan women and against the prohibition of women's education and employment.

Resolution 2721 addresses how to engage with the Taliban government in Afghanistan. It was adopted with the aim of creating a coherent and coordinated international approach to restore peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The resolution emphasises on the appointment of a UN special coordinator for Afghanistan.

The Taliban oppose the appointment of a new representative with full authority, considering the presence of the head of UNAMA in Afghanistan to be sufficient.

In this meeting, Nusseibeh stressed on the importance of supporting Afghan women's rights and strengthening their role in society.

West also expressed appreciation for the UAE's support and emphasised on the continuation of bilateral cooperation to advance shared goals.

Tom West wrote on X social media platform that the two countries share common views on the economy, security situation, and the need for a unified diplomatic approach towards Afghanistan.

Media Should Refrain from Broadcasting Content Contrary to Islamic Sharia, Says Taliban

May 21, 2024, 10:22 GMT+1

The Taliban's Minister of the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Khalid Hanafi, has urged media officials to refrain from activities against "Islamic Sharia and Afghan culture," stating that such actions are unacceptable to the group.

Hanafi emphasised that the media should contribute to the "Islamic education" of the next generation.

Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), under Taliban control, reported on the meeting between officials from the Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and media representatives in Kabul.

During this meeting, Hanafi reiterated his request for media activities to align with "Islamic Sharia”.

Earlier, Taliban intelligence officials in Parwan instructed the media to implement the "principles of Islamic Sharia and the Islamic Emirate (Taliban)”.

Additionally, the Taliban’s intelligence directorate has warned journalists in other provinces that they will face consequences if they act against Taliban principles.

The Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on media and journalists, enforcing censorship and preventing the unfiltered broadcasting of people's problems.

Over the past three years, the Taliban have shut down some media outlets, harassed, imprisoned, and tortured journalists.

Media support organisations view these actions by the Taliban as violations of freedom of expression and have called on the group to lift the existing restrictions on media and journalists.

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