Chinese Ambassador Ends Afghanistan Mission As Beijing-Taliban Ties Expand
China’s ambassador to Kabul, Zhao Sheng, held a farewell meeting with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi at the end of his diplomatic mission in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan
Attacks From Afghanistan Have Killed 4,700 People, Says Pakistan Envoy
Pakistan’s UN representative has expressed deep concern over what he called growing terrorist activity from Afghan territory, saying more than 4,700 Pakistanis have been killed in such attacks over the past three years.
ISIS-K Remains Serious Security Threat, Says Russian UN Envoy
Vasily Nebenzya, Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, warned at a UN Security Council meeting on Friday that ISIS-Khorasan in Afghanistan remains a serious security threat.
Taliban Arrests Surge In Badakhshan After Leadership Changes, Say Sources
Local sources in Badakhshan say the Taliban has detained dozens of people in recent weeks, with arrests reportedly increasing since a new Taliban governor and police commander took office in the province.
Taliban Poses Greater Threat Than Al-Qaeda, Says Former EU Diplomat
Michael Semple, a former EU diplomat in Afghanistan, says al-Qaeda members remain in the country, but the group is weakened and no longer poses a major threat. He said the Taliban now represents a greater threat than al-Qaeda.
Taliban Defence Delegation Travels To China For Security Forum
The Taliban Defence Ministry said on Saturday that a 13-member delegation had travelled to Beijing to attend the 13th Xiangshan Forum. The delegation is led by Latifullah Hakimi, the ministry’s inspector general.
US Deports Afghan Woman Accused Of Supporting ISIS
Nazira Haji Zada, an Afghan migrant and US permanent resident, has been deported to her country of origin after admitting involvement in an ISIS-inspired attack plot. It is the first such deportation ruling in nearly three decades.
Anti-Taliban Fight Does Not Need Foreign Troops, Says United Front Leader
Sami Sadat, leader of the Afghanistan United Front, says his forces do not need foreign troops to fight the Taliban, but are seeking support from the international community.
Taliban, Turkmen Border Commanders Discuss Security Cooperation
The Taliban Defence Ministry says a commander from its 209th Army Corps met a Turkmen border commander to discuss security along the Afghanistan-Turkmenistan border and closer coordination between border forces.
Afghanistan Remains A Safe Haven For Terrorist Groups, Says Atlantic Council
On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Atlantic Council experts have warned that Afghanistan remains a safe haven for terrorist groups, even as the nature of global terrorism has changed.
Three Taliban Members Wounded In Badakhshan Attack, Says NRF
The National Resistance Front said on Friday it attacked a Taliban checkpoint in Badakhshan’s Yaftal-e Payin district, wounding three Taliban members. Local sources confirmed clashes had taken place.
Violence Against Women Has No Islamic Legitimacy, Says Muslim World League Chief
Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League, says there is no justification for violence against women or for violating their dignity.
Taliban Discuss Bilateral Ties & Afghan Migrants With Turkish Ambassador
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s deputy prime minister for economic affairs, met Türkiye’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Sadın Ayyıldız, to discuss economic, trade and transit ties, as well as problems facing Afghan migrants in Turkiye.
US Betrayed Allies by Leaving Afghanistan, Says Former US Defence Secretary
Former US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has described the complete withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power as a terrible mistake, saying Washington betrayed those it had fought for.
Dialogue Among Afghans Is Only Way Forward, Says EU Envoy
EU Special Representative for Afghanistan Gilles Bertrand says his mission has ended, stressing that the bloc’s post-2021 approach has avoided legitimising the Taliban administration while maintaining dialogue.
3.1 Million People Displaced In Afghanistan In 2025, Says Research Group
REACH, a Geneva-based international humanitarian initiative specialising in humanitarian data collection and analysis, says 3.1 million people were displaced in Afghanistan last year due to economic pressures, food insecurity and natural disasters.
Four Taliban Killed In Kapisa & Kandahar, Says Anti-Taliban Groups
The Afghanistan Freedom Front says it killed three Taliban members and wounded two others in an attack on a checkpoint in Kapisa’s Tagab district. The Afghanistan United Front also reported killing a Taliban police member in Kandahar.
Ties With Bangladesh Should Be Strengthened, Says Taliban FM
Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, meeting a delegation of Bangladeshi religious scholars, traders and industrialists, called for stronger political, economic and cultural engagement with Bangladesh.
Aid Cuts Deepen Suffering in Afghanistan, Says NRC Chief
Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, says cutting humanitarian aid and refusing diplomatic engagement with the Taliban will only deepen humanitarian needs.
Afghan Girls Turn To Alternative Learning Despite Taliban Education Ban, Study Finds
Anar Academy, a Germany-based NGO supporting Afghan girls’ education, has published a study showing that despite Taliban restrictions, some girls have turned to online learning and self-study.
Visa Extensions For Afghan Medical Students Still Under Review, Says Pakistan
After Pakistani medical authorities told Afghan students to leave the country, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said students without valid visas must depart, while visa extension requests are still being reviewed.
Taliban Justice Minister Ordered Shamshad TV To Evacuate Building, Say Sources
Sources within the Taliban administration told Afghanistan International that Justice Minister Abdul Hakim Sharaei has ordered private broadcaster Shamshad TV to evacuate its building and hand it over to the Taliban administration.