Gold Mine Tensions Escalate As Taliban Arrest Commanders’ Relatives

These remarks were made following a meeting in Kabul on 16 May.

During the meeting, officials of the Islamic Republic and the Taliban discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.

Afghanistan imports more than 80 percent of its required electricity. According to reports, domestic electricity production stands at around 250 to 300 megawatts, while imports from neighbouring countries, mainly Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran, amount to approximately 700 to 800 megawatts.

This cooperation comes as Afghanistan faces electricity shortages, while Iran seeks to expand its economic influence in the region.

Nevertheless, relations between the two sides remain complex. Disputes over water rights based on the 1973 treaty continue, with Iran repeatedly accusing the Taliban of failing to honour its water share, whilst the Taliban points to drought conditions and its own dam-building projects.

He stressed that Central Asia's security is inseparable from Afghanistan's stability.

In a message addressed to the leaders of UN member states, released by his press office on Sunday May 17, he added that, based on this view, Kyrgyzstan provides continuous humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan, including women and children.

He also expressed support for Afghanistan's gradual economic and political integration into the international community.

In his message, the Kyrgyz President emphasised Bishkek's commitment to providing humanitarian support to vulnerable groups in Afghanistan.

These remarks were made as part of Kyrgyzstan's efforts to secure votes from countries in order to win a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

The elections for non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, to fill 5 of the 10 non-permanent seats (for the 2027–2028 term), will be held on June 3, 2026 at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Japarov called on world leaders to support Kyrgyzstan's bid for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

Japarov had previously stressed the necessity of stability in Afghanistan for the security of Central Asian states.

Russia, Kyrgyzstan's ally and strategic partner, previously announced that between 18,000 and 23,000 militants are currently operating in Afghanistan. Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, emphasised that paying attention to the situation in Afghanistan is of particular importance to the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Overchuk made the remarks during a meeting with Taliban minister of higher education, Neda Mohammad Nadeem, at the Russia-Islamic World Economic Forum.

He said trade between the two countries still has significant growth potential, although current figures remain relatively modest.

According to Overchuk, Russian data shows bilateral trade reached around $326 million in 2025, while Afghan figures estimate it at approximately $500 million.

The Russian deputy prime minister said Russian exports to Afghanistan increased 2.7 times in January and February 2026, while imports from Afghanistan rose by 1.9 times.

Overchuk added that Afghans still remember goods previously supplied by the Soviet Union, including Soviet-made cars and lorries, and are interested in seeing such exports resume from Russia.

He also said the two sides discussed agricultural exports, sanitary control measures for these products, the signing of a bilateral agreement in that field, Russian energy exports and opportunities for investment cooperation.

The remarks came after widespread reactions to reports that Taliban morality police humiliated and assaulted a Shia cleric.

Shia cleric, Hussaindad Sharifi, said Taliban morality officials beat him for registering a “temporary marriage”. He added that the Taliban had recently detained dozens of Shia clerics and forced them to sign pledges.

Sharifi urged the Taliban to change their policies and stop insulting the Shia sect, its clerics and followers.

On Sunday, May 17, the Taliban minister met Sayed Hassan Fazelzada, a famous Shia cleric and several other representatives of the Shia community.

He claimed that Afghanistan is currently governed under an Islamic regime and that all people support the regime “happily”. He added: “Our regime respects all sects.”

In recent months, the Taliban have detained several Shia clerics in Kabul, Herat and other Afghan cities for various reasons.

Hussein Azimi, an influential Shia cleric, was detained by armed Taliban members in Herat’s Jebrail town on April 2 and taken to an undisclosed location. Taliban authorities refused to provide information about his whereabouts or the reason for his detention.

In another incident, several Shia clerics in Herat were arrested on Maech 19, for refusing to celebrate Eid on the date announced by the Taliban.

Meanwhile, a number of students at Balkh University told Afghanistan International on April 10, that the Taliban had forced them to sign documents pledging to convert their sect to Hanafi Islam.

Afghanistan International also reported last year, based on an official document, that the Taliban Ulema Council in Badakhshan had announced that followers of the Ismaili sect would receive financial rewards and security guarantees if they converted to Sunni Islam.

The detention, beating and humiliating treatment of Shia clerics, along with increasing pressure on Shia citizens, have sparked strong reactions among politicians and social media users.

Taliban opponents and critics have accused the group of religious discrimination and systematic pressure against Afghanistan’s Shia community.

Human rights activists say the Taliban are ignoring the Shia Personal Status Law and attempting to impose Hanafi jurisprudence on all aspects of citizens’ lives.

Taliban media outlets reporting on the meeting did not specify which groups Azizi was referring to or how they were allegedly attempting to damage ties.

The Taliban ministers for commerce and higher education travelled to Kazan in the Republic of Tatarstan to attend the Russia–Islamic World International Economic Forum.

Russia is the only country to have formally recognised the Taliban administration.

Possible Deployment of Afghan Workers to Russia

Azizi said the Taliban administration is exploring the possibility of sending Afghan workers to Russia and that Moscow has also shown interest in the proposal.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the forum, he said: “Various Afghan government institutions are working on the issue of migrant workers, and efforts are continuing to achieve tangible results.”

Azizi stressed that interest in the cooperation was “mutual” and that both sides wanted progress on the matter.

According to him, the main obstacle is language. “The only existing barrier is language-related issues, but we are trying to resolve this challenge,” he said.

He added that a joint commission is working on the issue to find solutions and reach a final agreement.

Earlier, Mikhail Matveyev, Russian parliament member opposed the proposal to recruit Afghan workers, describing it as a threat to Russia’s security.