Afghanistan Earthquake Leaves 12 Dead, Dozens Of Homes Damaged

Marking Mine Awareness Day on Saturday, April 4, the ICRC said it recorded at least 217 incidents involving explosive remnants of war across Afghanistan last year.

The organisation noted that landmines and unexploded ordnance from decades of conflict continue to pose a serious threat to civilians.

According to UN data, Afghanistan remains one of the three most contaminated countries in the world by explosive hazards.

The report said one-third of such incidents occurred in eastern Afghanistan, while 48% were in western regions and 34% in southern areas. The lowest number of incidents was recorded in northern provinces.

The ICRC described the level of casualties as alarming, noting that for every person killed, nearly four others were injured. Many of the wounded suffer long-term disabilities and require ongoing care.

The report stressed that the high casualty rate highlights the urgent need to expand mine risk education programmes across Afghanistan.

Last year, the ICRC provided essential awareness training to 120,000 people in areas contaminated by explosive hazards.

UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett also called on the international community to invest in continued clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance, stressing that Afghanistan remains among the most affected countries globally.

The group said the changes come as Afghan cases are already delayed and entry for those with Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) has effectively stalled.

In a statement, AfghanEvac warned that if implemented, the “Enduring Welcome” programme for relocating Afghan allies would be fully closed, with no replacement offered.

It added that the proposed 2027 budget includes no funding for refugee and migration assistance, reducing the capacity to resettle refugees.

According to AfghanEvac, the budget prioritises deterrence policies over humanitarian support, redirecting resources towards deportations and migration control.

The organisation warned that the proposal would not only change policies but reshape the immigration system, leaving legal pathways on paper while removing practical access to them.

Following a shooting by an Afghan refugee at US National Guard personnel in Washington, DC, the Trump administration increased restrictions on Afghan refugees, leaving them unable to obtain permanent residency or citizenship indefinitely.

The administration had also previously banned entry to the United States from 12 countries, including Afghanistan.

Reports indicate that thousands of Afghans eligible for resettlement as refugees or through Special Immigrant Visas are currently awaiting transfer to the United States.

He said the floods have also caused widespread damage, with hundreds of homes completely or partially destroyed.

Thousands of acres of agricultural land have been lost, putting the livelihoods of many residents in affected areas at serious risk.

According to Taliban figures, four people remain missing and more than 2,400 homes have been damaged. Flooding has also blocked roads in several provinces.

Over the past week, Afghanistan has experienced unusually heavy rainfall and snowfall. In some provinces, intense rain has fallen, while in others, including Zabul, snowfall has reached up to 50 centimetres.

Flooding is one of the deadliest natural disasters in Afghanistan, claiming hundreds of lives each year.

Experts say a combination of climate change, prolonged drought and unregulated construction has increased the impact and casualties of such disasters in recent years.

Noori, the Taliban’s minister for borders and tribal affairs, made the remarks during a visit to Nangarhar province, where he addressed local residents and thanked them for what he described as unity and support in the face of Pakistani attacks.

He is considered one of the more outspoken critics of Pakistan within the Taliban and had previously warned that if pressure from Islamabad increased, the group might expand its response to areas such as Attock and Punjab.

During the visit, Noori again thanked the public for what he called their support and unity against Pakistan’s attacks.

He said: “All the people of Afghanistan are mujahideen. They have always broken the enemy through jihad and struggle and have achieved their independence through faith and Afghan pride.”

He added: “The people of eastern and western Afghanistan are our army and have jointly participated in jihad alongside the Taliban fighters, and through this support have defeated great empires.”

In recent weeks, reports have emerged that the Taliban forced citizens to take part in rallies in support of the group.

Taliban officials have repeatedly claimed in recent weeks that they enjoy broad public support during clashes with Pakistan.

The International Crisis Group said in its latest report that the Taliban have sought to use the conflict with Pakistan to mobilise domestic support.

However, some observers believe that for the first time in Afghanistan’s recent history, public opinion appears divided over tensions with Pakistan. According to them, some citizens support the Taliban’s hardline stance, while others back Pakistan’s strikes on Taliban positions.

Political groups opposed to the Taliban also argue that by supporting foreign militants, the group has enabled violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a press briefing that both Pakistan and Afghanistan value China’s mediation and are willing to return to the negotiating table. She said this is a positive development.

She added that China is in close contact with both sides and is providing the conditions and platform for dialogue, noting that the three countries will release more information at an appropriate time.

The remarks come as border clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban, which began last October, have left dozens dead, with Afghans bearing the brunt of the violence.

Islamabad accuses the Taliban of supporting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, an allegation the group denies, describing militant attacks as Pakistan’s internal issue.

China, which borders both countries, has in recent months intensified efforts to mediate between the former allies and now rivals.

In addition to phone calls with the foreign ministers of both sides, Beijing sent its special envoy to Kabul and Islamabad in March.

The ongoing talks in Urumqi are focused on securing a lasting ceasefire and reopening borders for trade and movement.

As a key economic partner to both the Taliban and Pakistan, China is concerned about the impact of tensions on its regional projects, including the Belt and Road Initiative.

Talks between the two sides began on Thursday, though no details of the discussions have been released.

China has said it will continue its mediation efforts between the parties.

Beijing aims to reduce tensions, reopen trade routes and border crossings, and establish a ceasefire.

At the same time, the Taliban claimed on Thursday that Pakistani artillery attacks had continued in three eastern provinces.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has stressed that progress in the peace process requires clear, verifiable and written guarantees, saying verbal commitments are not sufficient.

In previous rounds of talks in Doha, Istanbul and Riyadh, Islamabad also demanded written assurances, but the Taliban refused to provide them, contributing to the failure of earlier negotiations.

Taher Andrabi, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, accused the Taliban of failing to honor the Doha agreement with the United States, saying the group had adhered neither to its text nor its spirit.

Observers say Pakistan is taking part in the Urumqi talks under pressure from China.

Former Pakistani envoy Asif Durrani also said Islamabad joined the talks at China’s request.

In contrast, the Taliban Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that its delegation is participating in the talks with a balanced and principled approach, aiming for comprehensive discussions on good neighbourly relations, trade expansion and effective management of security issues.

Observers believe China, due to its significant economic interests in the region, including infrastructure projects and major investments, is seeking to maintain stability between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Concerns over security threats from Afghan territory, including militant infiltration and potential instability in border areas, are also driving Beijing’s active role in the talks.