Taliban Seals Shia Mosque in Kabul

According to the report, a 25-year-old Greek woman, two Iranian men aged 36 and 46, and their 44-year-old Afghan accomplice were arrested in connection with an attack on a building housing an Israeli-owned hotel and restaurant.

The attack, carried out on May 16, involved a homemade incendiary device.
The arrested individuals are accused of endangering lives through arson and causing damage to foreign citizens' property in a racially motivated attack.

In another incident, a 44-year-old Greek man and a 26-year-old Afghan man approached a synagogue in Athens on June 18, and set its entrance on fire using incendiary materials. A 30-year-old Iranian man was also involved in this operation. All these individuals have been arrested and charged with arson, theft, and possession of weapons.

The Greek police stated that of the seven suspects arrested in connection with the attacks on the synagogue and the Israeli-owned hotel, five remain in custody, while two have been conditionally released and are awaiting their trial.

On October 7, Hamas members attacked southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a massive military operation in the Gaza Strip, which, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, has resulted in over 38,000 deaths and 87,000 injuries so far.

Following the Gaza conflict, European officials have been deeply concerned about terrorist threats. Previously, in April 2023, Greek police foiled a plot to attack an Israeli restaurant in Athens and arrested two individuals in connection with the plan. At that time, Mossad identified the Islamic Republic as being responsible for the plot and stated that the foiled operation in Greece was part of a larger network directed from inside Iran.

Earlier, on May 6, Tel Aviv University and the Anti-Defamation League reported a significant increase in antisemitic incidents worldwide.

In March of last year, The Wall Street Journal reported the emergence of new "terrorist" threats, the foiling of several "terrorist operations," and the arrest of several refugees and extremist agents in Europe, stating that these threats are linked to the Islamic Republic, its proxy groups, and the Gaza conflict.

In a statement, the ministry wrote that McGregor will carry out her mission from Qatar.

Penny Wong, Australia's Foreign Minister, emphasised in a statement on Wednesday that her country will continue to work with like-minded countries to call out the Taliban on its abuse of human rights violations.

The Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that McGregor has previously undertaken missions in Afghanistan, Jordan, and Kuwait.

Before working in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, McGregor served as a senior advisor at the Canadian Embassy in Zimbabwe and the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Australia. She also worked for five years in the Australian Ministry of Defence.

She replaces Glenn Miles, the former Special Representative for Afghanistan.

In the statement from the Foreign Minister, it has been mentioned that Australia has been cooperating with the international community to support the people of Afghanistan since the Taliban regained control.

The Australian Foreign Minister also emphasised that her country has committed to providing USD 71 million in support for Afghan women and girls and humanitarian aid in Afghanistan from 2023 to 2024.

So far, no country has recognised the Taliban, and the group's policies towards women and girls over the past three years have been repeatedly criticised by Australia and other countries.

He also urged the Taliban to take measures to prevent terrorist attacks from Afghanistan on other countries.

Although he did not elaborate, Pakistan has consistently claimed that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has safe havens in Afghanistan under Taliban control.

Moreover, member countries of the SCO have continually warned of the influence of terrorist groups from Afghanistan on Central Asia.

According to the Dawn newspaper of Pakistan, Sharif stated at the SCO summit held in Astana, Kazakhstan, that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations must be condemned.

He added that the region's stability and economic development are also dependent on peace in Afghanistan.

The SCO summit began on Wednesday for two days with the theme "Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue – Striving for Sustainable Peace and Development".

Leaders and representatives from Russia, Kazakhstan, India, Iran, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Turkmenistan are attending the summit.

Although some of these countries have economic and diplomatic relations with the Taliban, none recognise the Taliban officially.

Since the Taliban came to power, no one has been allowed to represent Afghanistan at SCO meetings.

The court stated that one person in Ghazni was given 39 lashes for theft and sentenced to one year and six months of imprisonment.

On Thursday, the court issued a statement saying that the defendants in Kandahar were punished in public based on the decision of the court in Maiwand district.

Public corporal punishment has faced widespread criticism from human rights organisations.

On Tuesday, the Taliban publicly flogged 21 people in Panjshir, Badghis, and Uruzgan provinces.

They asserted that establishing an inclusive government with broad participation from all ethnic and political groups is the only way to achieve lasting peace in the country.

In a joint statement, the leaders declared their readiness to support efforts aimed at normalising the situation in Afghanistan.

According to the Russian news agency TASS, the statement reads that the member states express their readiness to support the international community's efforts to ensure peace and development in this country.

The SCO summit commenced on Wednesday for a two-day session and was attended by leaders and representatives from Russia, Kazakhstan, India, Iran, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Turkmenistan.

Although some of these countries maintain economic and diplomatic relations with the Taliban, none have recognised the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. Since the Taliban came to power, no Afghan representative has been allowed to attend SCO meetings.