Exiled Afghan Politician Salahuddin Rabbani Visits Tehran

This marks Rabbani's first visit to Iran since the fall of the Republic order in Afghanistan.

Additionally, sources revealed that the Islamic Republic of Iran has initiated efforts to create a unified front among the members of Jamiat-e-Islami, which fragmented into various branches following the death of its founder and leader, Burhanuddin Rabbani.

Rabbani's visit coincides with Iran hosting a regional contact meeting attended by representatives from China, Russia, and Pakistan. The Taliban declined to participate in this Tehran meeting, with Taliban’s Foreign Ministry official stating that despite Tehran's invitation, they would not attend.

Recently, the Taliban dismissed Abdul Jabbar Ansar, the Afghan Consul General in Mashhad. The Taliban’s Foreign Ministry announced in a letter that until a new consul is appointed, a diplomat from the embassy would temporarily head the Mashhad consulate.

However, Nasser Kanaani, the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, stated that any changes in the Afghan consular staff in Mashhad must comply with the 1963 Vienna Convention. Kanaani's remarks implied that any changes at the consulate should be made with Iran's consent.

Mashhad also hosts political groups opposing the Taliban. Some sources indicate that the National Resistance Front has official offices in the city.

Meanwhile, the Taliban has expressed readiness to participate in the Doha meeting. Observers suggest that the Taliban's actions reflect their disregard for the regional contact format initiated by Tehran.

Taliban Announces Thursday As Public Holiday

Jun 20, 2024, 11:58 GMT+1

The Taliban's Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has announced that Thursday, June 20, the fourth day of Eid al-Adha, will be a public holiday.

The ministry stated that Friday is already a public holiday, and therefore, Thursday will also be declared an official holiday.

This year, contrary to Saudi Arabia, the Taliban declared Sunday as the Day of Arafat and Monday as the first day of Eid al-Adha.

Meanwhile, the Hajj ceremonies began on Friday in Mecca, and the Arafat Day ceremony was held on Saturday, June 15, in Mecca with the participation of over 1.5 million pilgrims from around the world, including senior Taliban officials.

Taliban Meteorological Authority Warns Of Possible Flooding In 14 Provinces

Jun 20, 2024, 10:42 GMT+1

The Taliban's Meteorological Authority has reported the possibility of flooding in 14 provinces.

The department stated that on Thursday, heavy rainfall and flooding are expected in Badakhshan, Takhar, Nuristan, Kunar, Panjshir, Laghman, Nangarhar, Logar, Paktia, Khost, Paktika, Ghazni, Maidan Wardak, and Bamiyan provinces.

The Taliban's Meteorological Authority has forecast rainfall between 15 to 35 millimetres in various areas.

According to reports, more than 300 people have died in Baghlan, at least 50 in Ghor, and nearly 60 in Faryab province due to recent flooding.

In the most recent incident, 21 people lost their lives due to flooding in seven provinces.

70 Anti-Taliban Political Opponents to Meet Next Week in Vienna

Jun 20, 2024, 10:11 GMT+1

A group of anti-Taliban political factions and figures will hold a meeting on June 24 in Vienna with the aim of achieving "political unity and creating a clear and shared outlook among free Afghans”.

According to received information, members of the National Resistance Front, the Afghanistan Freedom Front, and the Jamiat, Junbish, and Wahdat parties will participate in this meeting.

Based on information obtained by Afghanistan International, the organisers expect close to 70 participants in this two-day meeting.

Like previous meetings, in addition to political and military factions, former government members, university professors, civil activists, and media representatives have also been invited.

The initial list of participants includes names such as Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance Front; Rangin Dadfar Spanta, former Foreign Minister; Rahmatullah Nabil, former head of the National Directorate of Security of Afghanistan, and Sima Samar, former head of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission.

It is unclear who else from other Afghan political parties and military factions will attend this meeting.

The last Vienna meeting was held in December 2023 in the Austrian capital.

Taliban Reacts Strongly to UN Special Rapporteur’s Report on Afghanistan

Jun 19, 2024, 15:54 GMT+1

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, stated that some UN members, particularly the Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, are attempting to divert attention from the third Doha meeting.

Mujahid said that those in the UN always try to present a "bad" image of Afghanistan.

On Wednesday, in response to the 56th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Taliban spokesperson wrote on X that some UN member countries are overshadowing significant developments by portraying a negative image of Afghanistan.

Mujahid added that the Taliban appreciates the supportive stance of some countries in the UN Human Rights Council.

He emphasised, "It is a reality that positive and constructive engagement with the Islamic Emirate must be carried out."

On Tuesday, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, presented his report, stating that the systematic and institutionalised discrimination in Afghanistan and the exclusion of women by the Taliban should shock the conscience of humanity.

Bennett described the exclusion of women from public life and their deprivation of education and work as "crimes against humanity" and called on the international community to recognise gender apartheid in Afghanistan.

Bennett also urged the international community to stop legitimising and normalising relations with the Taliban. He stated that the international community should not treat the Taliban as a legitimate government in the upcoming third Doha meeting.

Representatives of most countries at this meeting condemned the Taliban's policies towards women and called on the group to lift restrictions on women.

Taliban Claims Over Hundred Airplanes Cross Afghanistan’s Airspace Daily

Jun 19, 2024, 14:16 GMT+1

The Taliban's Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation reported that 100-120 airplanes pass through Afghan airspace daily.

The ministry stated that it charges a transit fee of USD 700 per airplane.

This is in contrast to the last years of the previous government, when around 400 airplanes passed through Afghan airspace daily.

On Wednesday, June 19, Imamuddin Ahmadi, Taliban’s spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport, told Taliban controlled Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) that international flights are conducted daily from the country's five international airports with "international standards”.

This Taliban official also mentioned that Nangarhar Airport, which was used as a military airport during the previous government, is now open for international flights.

The Taliban claim that there are 27 active airports across Afghanistan, including five international airports.

In August 2023, the group announced that over 25,000 transit flights had been conducted through Afghan airspace in the past year, generating 8 billion Afghanis in revenue.

Qasim Wafaeezada, the head of the Civil Aviation Authority during the previous government, said in 2020 that around 400 airplanes pass through Afghan airspace daily. This office had stated that over 95,000 airplanes passed through Afghan airspace annually.

Following the Taliban’s takeover of power in Afghanistan, most international airlines changed their routes and halted flights to Afghanistan.

Nearly three years later, some regional airlines have resumed their flights from Afghanistan.

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