Taliban Reviews Border Security As Russia Warns Of Growing Militant Presence

According to the sources, Karzai flew to Rome on a private jet from Germany to meet Araghchi, who was in the Italian capital on Friday, 23 May, for the fifth round of indirect negotiations with the United States. The meeting reportedly took place at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Rome.

Among the Western diplomats Karzai met were representatives from countries including Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as an envoy linked to US president Donald Trump.

The central focus of the discussions was the launch of a national dialogue and the formation of an inclusive national government in Afghanistan, an initiative Karzai has long championed. Both Iranian and Western diplomats expressed support for the proposal, describing it as the only viable solution to Afghanistan’s protracted political and humanitarian crisis.

Sources also noted that detailed consultations took place regarding the potential mechanisms for implementing such a dialogue within Afghanistan.

Karzai’s trip to Europe, including his unofficial visit to Germany, is one of several he has undertaken since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. Over the past four years, Karzai has consistently called for a broad-based, intra-Afghan dialogue and the establishment of a representative government, appeals that have been largely dismissed by the Taliban leadership in Kandahar.

Karzai has since returned to Kabul following his meetings in Europe.

According to reports received by Afghanistan International, the confrontation began on Thursday morning and had yet to subside as of the latest updates.

The cause of the skirmish remains unclear, and no official statements have been issued by either the Taliban or Pakistani authorities. Additionally, there have been no confirmed reports of casualties on either side.

The border area of Bahramcha, located in southern Afghanistan, has witnessed occasional tensions in the past due to disputed border demarcations and cross-border movements. However, the latest confrontation marks a potentially serious escalation in bilateral tensions.

Further details are awaited as the situation develops.

Nader Yarahmadi, head of the Centre for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs, announced the cancellation of these cards and the termination of numerous educational and healthcare services for undocumented migrants.

Yarahmadi called on migrants to leave Iran voluntarily, warning that those who fail to do so may face forced deportation and will be ineligible for any future visa-related benefits. “Individuals without legal documentation will no longer have access to educational and medical services,” he stated. “Their children can only continue their education with valid documents.”

Iranian media, quoting Yarahmadi, reported that the prolonged stay of foreign nationals has sparked growing concern among Iranian citizens. While emphasising that Iran has historically treated migrants humanely, he argued that the time has come to regularise their presence due to mounting pressure on the country’s infrastructure.

The census cards, previously issued to undocumented migrants in exchange for financial deposits, were valid until March and will not be renewed. Many migrants have expressed frustration over the difficulty of reclaiming the deposits they paid for these now-cancelled cards.

Yarahmadi also noted that Iran’s immigration policies are shaped by both domestic needs and ongoing regional crises. However, he stressed that the organisation of undocumented migrants is now a national priority.

He pointed to the strain that the presence of large numbers of migrants has placed on critical public services, including education and healthcare, leading to growing public dissatisfaction.

Meanwhile, images obtained by Afghanistan International reveal the worsening humanitarian situation: thousands of Afghans are reportedly stranded in camps or stuck at immigration offices, struggling to secure exit permits amid the crackdown.

He issued the warning during a meeting of the Council of Defence Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) held on Wednesday in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Belousov highlighted the growing risk of infiltration by these groups into CSTO member states and beyond, calling Afghanistan the principal source of terrorist threats to the region. While he did not name specific organisations, he claimed that foreign fighters from the Middle East are increasingly entering Afghanistan and other Central Asian nations.

In remarks reported by Russian state media outlet TASS, Belousov also criticised Western geopolitical strategies, accusing Western countries of attempting to orchestrate Russia’s strategic defeat and placing undue pressure on CSTO members.

He said that the military-political situation in CSTO-controlled territories remains tense, with increasing challenges facing member states. The Russian defence minister added that western countries continue to pursue their agenda of weakening Russia and destabilising Moscow’s allies.

The CSTO, comprising Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan, has grown increasingly concerned about the presence of extremist groups such as ISIS and regional radical groups based in Afghanistan. These concerns have prompted member states to cautiously increase engagement with the Taliban, despite the group lacking formal recognition.

In a notable shift, Russia’s Supreme Court earlier this year approved the Prosecutor General’s request to remove the Taliban from its official list of terrorist organisations, a move signalling Moscow’s pragmatic approach to regional security.

In response to mounting security challenges, the CSTO has stepped up military cooperation across the region. Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the organisation has conducted several joint military exercises in Tajikistan. Plans are also underway to begin supplying weapons and military equipment to bolster security along the Tajik-Afghan border beginning in 2026. This effort will be rolled out in three stages over a five-year period.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also addressed the issue during a March 2025 meeting in Moscow with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, affirming that Russia cannot remain indifferent to the threats emanating from Afghanistan.

In an official statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry referred to the Taliban envoy at least three times as the "representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan", a title that has not been used by the country since the Taliban's takeover in 2021.

On Tuesday, 27 May, the ministry announced that Sheikh Maktoum bin Butti Al Maktoum, Director of the Ministry in Dubai, had received Fida’s credentials during a meeting with the Taliban representative.

"Sheikh Maktoum bin Butti Al Maktoum welcomed the Consul General and congratulated him on his appointment, wishing him success in his duties, and commended the strong political, economic, commercial, and investment ties between the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," the statement read.

The phrasing has raised questions, as the Taliban refer to their administration as the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan." The UAE, like most nations, has not formally recognised the Taliban government.