UN Special Rapporteur Calls for Full Religious Freedom for Afghan Shias During Ashura

According to the Taliban, the group's leader met with Sirajuddin Haqqani, Yaqoob Mujahid, and Abdul Haq Wasiq in Kandahar on Sunday.

In an interview with Tolo News on Monday, this Taliban's spokesperson discussed the details of the meeting and said that Hibatullah instructed the heads of the Taliban's security organs to obey his commands and those of the Prime Minister's Office.

Previously, Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban’s spokesperson said that the heads of the group's security organs discussed "challenges" during their meeting with Mullah Hibatullah, but Mujahid did not provide further details about these challenges.

The Taliban's Ministry of Interior spokesperson stated that the group's leadership is focused on professionalism and good behaviour towards the people.

The Taliban leader's order for obedience to his commands comes despite repeated criticisms from Haqqani and Mullah Yaqoob, the Taliban's Ministers of Interior and Defense.

In February 2023, Haqqani criticised the "monopoly of power" at a meeting in Khost province, stating that the current situation is unacceptable.

In response to Haqqani's remarks, the Taliban spokesperson said that Islamic ethics dictate that criticism of the "Emir" should not disrespect him. Without naming anyone, Zabihullah Mujahid said that criticism of the "Emir" should be done in private.
There have been previous reports that the heads of the Taliban's security organs do not attend meetings with the Prime Minister and his deputies.

Participants of the Ashura ceremony told Afghanistan International that Taliban members beat up and dispersed mourners and disrupted the processions.

According to videos provided to Afghanistan International, people scattered into the streets.

Telecommunication Networks Shut Down In Kabul

As Shia Ashura ceremonies take place in Afghanistan, sources in Kabul reported that the Taliban have shut down all telecommunication networks in the capital.

Sources told Afghanistan International that under the pretext of ensuring security, Taliban fighters have also blocked all roads in western Kabul. The sources stated that the telecommunication networks in Kabul were cut off on Tuesday morning.

Afghanistan International's sources indicated that the Taliban, in addition to cutting communication networks, have prohibited residents of western Kabul from moving around the Shia neighbourhoods. According to the sources, there is a significant presence of Taliban fighters in western Kabul.

Over the last few years, the Taliban had also cut off telecommunication networks in several Afghan cities on the occasion of Ashura. The Taliban have not officially commented on the shutdown of telecommunication networks and the internet in Afghanistan.

Taliban officials have stated that the number of casualties in Nangarhar could increase.

Zaman announced that significant damage has been inflicted on the people due to the floods and storm.

According to him, the Sorkhrud district of Nangarhar has suffered the most damage. Images shared on social media show that the storm has destroyed power and telecommunication poles.

In one instance, 11 members of a family died in Sorkhrud district due to the collapse of a house roof.

The provinces of Laghman, Kunar, Panjshir, and Badakhshan have also experienced flooding. Five people have died in Kunar as a result of the floods.

Climate change, drought, and heavy rainfall have caused devastating floods in several provinces. The United Nations announced in May that at least 60,000 people in Baghlan had been affected by the floods.

According to the ministry's statement, 8,377 people have returned from Iran and 1,353 people have returned from Pakistan.

The statement added that the migrants returning from Iran entered the country through the Islam Qala border crossing in Herat and the Pul-e-Abrisham border crossing in Nimruz.

The migrants coming from Pakistan mostly returned through the Spin Boldak and Torkham border crossings.

It added that these migrants have been referred to UN-affiliated organisations for assistance.

Following the Taliban's takeover of power in 2021, Iran and Pakistan began expelling migrants and have intensified the deportation process in recent months.

The Taliban use the return of these migrants for propaganda purposes, linking it to increased confidence in the security conditions for returning to the country.

According to the IRIB, these trucks have been stuck within Afghanistan's borders since the past 23 days and are facing numerous problems.

The media outlet did not provide an explanation for the "rejection of the cargo by the other side”.

Taliban sources have not yet publicly commented on this news, but previously they had reported returning some Iranian goods, including petroleum products.

The reports from Iranian media do not clarify what the trucks' cargo contained.