US Lawmakers Criticise Proposal To Move Afghan Refugees To Congo

Local Taliban authorities said the flood deaths occurred in Bala Murghab district of Badghis. At the same time, the media office of the Taliban governor in Maidan Wardak reported that two young women, aged 15 and 22, were killed when a wall collapsed in Jaghatu district on Wednesday, April 22.

Officials in Badghis said floods also destroyed homes and agricultural land in the province.

According to the Taliban’s disaster management authority, at least 190 people have died across Afghanistan between March 26 and April 12 due to heavy rainfall, floods and earthquakes.

During the same period, 238 people were injured in natural disasters.

The data show around 1,400 homes were fully or partially destroyed, and thousands of acres of farmland were damaged.

He added that the Taliban does not seek war but will defend the country if war is imposed.

According to Hurriyat Radio, a media outlet affiliated with the Taliban, Noori made the remarks at a public gathering in Takhar province.

He called on people at the meeting to work toward strengthening the Taliban system. “The people of Afghanistan have stood firm against all kinds of problems and are ready to make any sacrifice to defend their land,” he said.

The remarks come amid rising verbal tensions over the Durand Line between officials of the former government, the Taliban, and some activists. The governments of Pakistan and the Taliban have so far failed to resolve ongoing disputes between the two countries.

Pakistan alleges that the Taliban are providing shelter in Afghan territory to militant groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The Taliban have repeatedly rejected these claims.

According to the sources, this message was conveyed to Islamabad via China.

A Taliban official source said on Wednesday, April 22, that Pakistan had sent a message to the Taliban through China, warning it to refrain from any actions that could undermine the security situation in Islamabad.

According to the information received, the message described Pakistan’s security situation as “highly sensitive” and stated that “the smallest miscalculation could trigger a strong response.”

The warning was reportedly issued amid concerns over potential drone activity originating from Afghan territory. Sources added that the Taliban has, via China, assured Pakistan that no drone operations against its territory would take place.

However, the Taliban has made this commitment conditional, stating that Pakistan must not resume airstrikes, bombings, or shelling against Afghanistan.

Islamabad has been preparing to host peace talks. Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has deployed more than 20,000 security personnel to ensure security. Despite conflicting statements, the second round of talks is expected to be held in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Earlier, it was reported that US Vice President J.D. Vance may also travel to Pakistan for the new round of talks with Iran.

Residents of border districts have repeatedly complained about Pakistani rocket fire and mortar shelling. Earlier reports also emerged of a Pakistani rocket attack on Kunar on Tuesday night.

Audio of his remarks, delivered to Taliban officials in the province, was published by several local media outlets on Tuesday.

Jawad said the group had anticipated the activities of opposition forces in several countries and had remained prepared to respond since taking power in Kabul.

He described the Taliban as a movement with deep roots across Afghanistan and in the wider Islamic world and said opponents and their foreign backers would not be able to undermine it.

Jawad added that the Taliban had maintained a state of readiness to confront challenges and remained prepared to act.

He said the group’s authority was not superficial but rooted in communities across the country, adding that its rule was the result of a long historical process rather than recent developments.

The official also stressed that the Taliban would defend its system of rule based on Islamic law.

His remarks come amid increased activity by opposition groups and rising tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan.

Pakistani officials have recently raised the prospect of political change in Afghanistan, while reports indicate that some opposition groups may be strengthening ties with Pakistan.

Richard Bennett said on X that any forced returns, given widespread human rights violations, risk breaching the principle of non-refoulement, especially for women, activists and former government employees.

Reports suggest the European Union will invite a Taliban delegation to Brussels in the coming weeks to discuss returning Afghan asylum seekers.

At the same time, Gilles Bertrand, the EU special envoy has visited Kabul, where the Taliban foreign ministry said he met deputy foreign minister Mohammad Naeem to discuss political, economic and trade relations, as well as long-term cooperation.

Hannah Neumann, a member of European parliament, has also strongly criticised the reported visit, saying there should be no legitimacy or deals with the Taliban and accusing EU officials of “rolling out the red carpet” for the group.