Qatar Expresses Readiness To Facilitate Taliban Engagement With Global Community

Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported on Thursday, 25 September, that since the start of 2024, around 2.6 million Afghans have returned to the country; many after decades abroad, and some entering Afghanistan for the first time.

Hans-Jakob Schindler, former coordinator of the UN monitoring committee on militant groups, told AFP: “The risk that Islamic State Khorasan sees these newly arrived Afghans as a potential recruitment pool is high.”

He noted that since 2021, IS-K has recruited both disaffected Taliban members and Afghans excluded from the new governing structures.

A European diplomatic source told AFP: “We already know that some Afghans join terrorist groups not out of conviction, but out of economic necessity.”

Although Afghanistan’s security situation has improved since the Taliban takeover and the cessation of their insurgency, IS-K, based in the east, continues sporadic attacks that pose an ongoing threat to Taliban rule and regional stability.

In recent months, the Islamic Republic of Iran has intensified its anti-migration policies against Afghan citizens, expelling large numbers. Amnesty International in July urged Iran to immediately halt deportations of Afghans.

Deportees Face Poverty and IS Shadow

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that up to four million Afghans may return by the end of 2025.

Indrika Ratwatte, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan, said the returnees “face enormous challenges, without jobs, housing, or access to basic services.” He warned they could become vulnerable to “negative coping mechanisms, including exploitation by armed groups.”

According to the World Bank, nearly half of Afghanistan’s 48 million people live below the poverty line, and about one-quarter of young people aged 15–29 are unemployed.

The UN, in a July report, warned that Afghanistan offers ground for multiple terrorist groups, posing a serious threat to Central Asia and beyond. It said IS is the most dangerous, with roughly 2,000 fighters who have organised attacks in Russia, Iran, and Pakistan in recent years.

Amina Khan of the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad noted that Afghans returning after decades abroad are often viewed as outsiders. She added that many, having lost businesses and property, are “fodder for these transnational terrorist groups that are operating within the region.”

Central Asian countries have repeatedly voiced concern in recent years about the growing strength of terrorist groups and their threat to regional security.

Russia says about 23,000 fighters from 20 different terrorist organisations are present in Afghanistan.

In August, Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, said that “The greatest concern is the activity of the Afghan branch of (Islamic State)… which has training camps, mainly in the east, north, and northeast of the country.”

Russia says it has recognised the Taliban authorities in order to bolster regional security and combat terrorist threats.

A Ticking Time Bomb

Schindler says “Many foiled attacks in Europe between 2023 and 2025 have been linked back to the Islamic State.”

A European diplomat described the situation as a real “ticking time bomb” for many European countries.

The UN concluded that the only way to prevent extremist recruitment among Afghan migrants is to build a future of dignity for them through foreign assistance.

Washington, however, has sharply cut humanitarian aid to Afghanistan to prevent funds from reaching the Taliban.

Residents told Afghanistan International that the order was issued without prior warning. They said Taliban members now confiscate smartphones from anyone found carrying one outside their home after sunset.
Asadullah, a resident, said two Taliban members seized his phone and told him to report to their command office the next day. “Since then, I have had no news of my phone. They keep telling me to go to intelligence or the district office,” he said.

Another resident said his phone was confiscated three days ago with a promise of return, but he has received no response. Residents reported that Taliban members not only seize devices but also demand passwords to check photos, conversations and personal documents.

Locals described the practice as a violation of privacy and personal rights. They said few phones have been returned, while most remain missing.

The restriction adds to a series of Taliban-imposed bans, including on music, women’s education and work, public gatherings, and high-speed internet.

They described the situation in Afghanistan as “catastrophic” and said the US withdrawal in August 2021 “should never have happened the way it did.”

The officials said Washington’s priorities remain preventing Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists and pressing the Taliban to end what they called “hostage diplomacy” by releasing American citizens.

“The priority of the United States is that Afghanistan never again becomes a training ground for terrorists,” one official said, adding that President Donald Trump “will take all necessary measures to protect America.”

The officials cited the recent visit of Adam Boehler, Trump’s special envoy for hostage affairs, to Kabul for talks with the Taliban, saying the issue “remains at the top of our agenda.”

Women’s Rights

The officials voiced deep concern over the plight of Afghan women and girls. “We know the nature of the Taliban,” one said. “As a US-designated terrorist organisation, they have no regard for human rights, especially the rights of women and girls.”

They accused the Taliban of blocking female aid workers after the recent earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, saying the restrictions led to “more tragic deaths.” They added that Washington is supporting programmes for Afghan women and girls outside the country to ensure assistance “reaches its intended beneficiaries.”

China’s Role

The officials also described China as “a global challenge,” saying Beijing is seeking influence worldwide, including exploring opportunities in Afghanistan’s mining sector.

They stressed that the US is monitoring developments closely. On the issue of Bagram air base, one official said: “The president’s remarks clearly reflect his view. He has stated exactly what he wants.”

Tokayev highlighted the opening of a new regional hub for the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Almaty, created with support from the UN secretary-general and partner nations. The centre will focus on Afghanistan and Central Asia.

He said Kazakhstan continues to support the Afghan people through humanitarian aid and cooperation in trade, food security, infrastructure, and transportation.

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on 4 March 2025 to establish the Almaty centre. Its mandate includes coordinating efforts, providing technical assistance, and implementing projects to fight poverty, boost economic growth, manage water resources, address climate change, improve healthcare, and expand access to education.

The Taliban had cut fibre-optic internet in at least 12 provinces, including Balkh, saying the move was aimed at preventing “immoral behaviour.”

The blackout left millions without stable internet access and drew comparisons with countries such as North Korea and Turkmenistan, widely regarded as among the most restrictive in the world for connectivity.

Rights groups and residents said the shutdowns severely disrupted daily life, education, and business in Afghanistan, where internet access is already limited.