The Week of August 3-10
Security and Conflict
Cross Border Attack – In an operation beginning Thursday, Pakistani security forces killed 47 TTP militants in one of the deadliest recent cross-border clashes. Thirty-three were killed on Friday, with 14 more on Saturday. The fighters attempted to infiltrate Zhob district, Balochistan, from Afghanistan in three groups via Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Acting on intelligence, troops engaged the militants in Sambaza. A large cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was seized.
Talib Arrested For Targeted Killings – On Tuesday, Taliban security official Khalid Akka in Faryab was arrested with two associates for suspected involvement in several targeted killings, including those of former officials Mohammad Saleh and Mohibullah Mirzad. Previously attributed to unknown gunmen, the killings now appear linked to Akka, who has been transferred to Kabul. Saifullah Habib Taheri has replaced him as district security head. Taliban officials have not publicly commented.
Taliban and ISKP Fighting – On Monday, an armed clash occurred between Taliban forces and ISKP militants in the Kurangal Valley of Kunar province, according to sources. Details on casualties or the scale of the confrontation remain unclear.
Increased Checkpoints and Phone Searches – Kabul residents report intensified phone searches, surveillance, and detentions. Taliban officers are stopping individuals in public, inspecting mobile phones—including photos, contacts, and messages—and questioning them over content deemed inappropriate. Women face increased harassment, with some reporting being followed or detained. Journalists and activists, especially women, say the risk of arrest is rising.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Increase in Floggings – Over the past two months, the Taliban have intensified public floggings, with 126 individuals—including 25 women—punished across 19 provinces. Offenses included alleged extramarital sex, theft, drug sales, and improper contact with the opposite sex. Floggings occurred in Kabul, Balkh, Ghazni, Nangarhar, and other provinces. Most punishments targeted men, though women were also publicly beaten. Many sentences lacked due process, and the floggings are increasingly normalized and publicized. Rights groups warn this trend reflects worsening repression and gender-based violence.
Increased Restrictions on Women in Kandahar – The Taliban’s Vice and Virtue Department in Kandahar has banned shopkeepers—especially in Aino Mina—from selling to women without Taliban-approved hijab, threatening violators with imprisonment. Vendors report significant business losses as female customers avoid markets.
Increased Restrictions in Panjshir – The Taliban have intensified restrictions in Panjshir, enforcing strict dress codes for women and limiting public movement. Women without full-body burqas are barred from entering the province or using public roads, even in medical emergencies. Residents report being turned back at checkpoints, and local officials say they cannot override military orders. Additional measures include night curfews, bans on mountain access, and restrictions on smartphone use. Taliban Vice and Virtue officers also detained dozens of civil servants, including 19 from the education department, for having beards deemed too short. The arrests, mainly targeting Republic-era hires, followed inspections of government offices.
Imam Arrested in Herat – On Monday, Taliban Vice and Virtue officers arrested Gholam-Hossein Fasihi, the imam of Khadija Kobra Mosque in Herat’s Haji Abbas neighborhood, according to local sources. The arrest reportedly followed concerns over sheltering deported Afghan migrants from Iran and the presence of non-Qur’anic prayer books in the mosque. Residents attempted to secure Fasihi’s release without success. He remains in custody, and no official statement has been issued.
Floggings – On Tuesday, ten people were flogged in Kabul and Maidan Wardak. On Thursday, fourteen were flogged in Kabul and Zabul.
Students Arrested – On Tuesday, the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice announced the arrest of six university students accused of promoting “deviant atheist ideas.” While the university and students were not named, a spokesman said they showed signs of “ideological deviation” and were detained after surveillance.
Internal Politics
UNAMA Office Closed by Local Mullah in Nanagarhar – The Taliban have closed the UNAMA office in Nangarhar, labeling its staff “apostates,” following months of tension over female employment. Governor Mulla Naim Barich—an ally of Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah—had earlier banned women from entering the office and attempted to shut it down, but central Taliban mediation delayed action.
Mullah Hibatullah Gives Speech in Kandahar – On Thursday, Mullah Hibatullah addressed religious scholars, stating that decades of past governance distanced Afghans from Islam and Sharia. He called on scholars to promote Islamic values, guide public behavior, and support Taliban policies. He emphasized outward religious appearance, urging the public to grow beards and wear turbans in line with the Prophet’s traditions. Shaving beards is prohibited under Taliban law and carries penalties; barbers have been warned, and some detained.
New Masked Police Units in Kandahar and Kunduz – Since retaking power, the Taliban have increasingly integrated ideological indoctrination into their security forces. In Kandahar and Kunduz, newly graduated masked police units—once a hallmark of suicide and intelligence forces—reflect this shift. Recruitment favors relatives of fallen fighters, creating a loyalist core under Mullah Hibatullah’s control. Their expanded presence at official events has fueled speculation about their role, especially amid rivalries with the Haqqani network. Training blends military skills with jihadist narratives, reinforcing a wartime mindset over conventional policing.
Taliban Firing Police in Badgis – The Taliban police command in Badghis province has dismissed 336 employees, officially labeling them “post-victory,” “collaborators,” or “martyrs’ heirs.” Sources say most are former government workers removed under pretexts, with positions reassigned to Taliban members laid off in earlier downsizing. This appears part of a broader replacement of previous regime staff with loyalists.
Statements by Taliban Spokesperson – On Sunday, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid urged the U.S. and other countries to follow Russia in recognizing their government, calling Moscow’s move a major achievement. Russia confirmed recognition on July 12. He claimed Afghanistan faces no legal vacuum, saying courts operate solely under Sharia and the former constitution was only a political framework. Currently, Mullah Hibatullah’s decrees serve as law while a new constitution is pending.
International Developments
New UNAMA Report Released – A new UNAMA report covering April–June 2025 documents ongoing human rights abuses in Afghanistan, including ethnic targeting, protest crackdowns, and reprisals against former officials. UNAMA recorded seven killings, eight arbitrary arrests, and three cases of torture of former Afghan security personnel and officials, underscoring continued violence despite Taliban assurances of a general amnesty. In Badakhshan, Taliban forces killed at least 10 people while suppressing anti-poppy eradication protests. In early June, at least 87 Uzbeks, including children, were detained in Faryab after clashes with Pashtuns sparked by an incident involving firecrackers; two Pashtun youths were also held. The full report can be accessed Here
Virtual Panel Held on Human Rights Issues – In a virtual panel hosted this week by Human Rights Watch and UN experts, Zubaida Akbar, director of Freedom Now, highlighted the challenges facing humanitarian aid efforts in Afghanistan. She stated that operational barriers and restrictions have significantly limited access to assistance and called for direct international support to local women-led organizations. Human Rights Watch researcher Fereshta Abbasi emphasized the impact of ongoing restrictions on women’s rights, education, and employment. She also raised concerns about the closure of health facilities and the need for an independent human rights monitoring mechanism within the UN framework.
Agha Khan Meeting with Taliban – On Wednesday, senior Aga Khan Foundation officials met with Taliban Acting Public Health Minister Jalali to reaffirm support for Afghanistan’s healthcare sector. Discussions focused on capacity building, support for cancer patients, and specialist training.
Freedom of the Press
Taliban Shut Down Radio Nasim and Detain Journalists – On Wednesday, the Taliban’s intelligence agency suspended Radio Nasim’s broadcasts in Daikundi and Bamiyan after it aired a UN report on ISIS in Afghanistan. Agents raided the station, detained editor-in-chief Sultan Ali Jawadi and reporters Saifullah Rezai and Mojtaba Qasemi, and seized broadcasting equipment. The journalists, previously detained in October 2023 for similar reasons, were released on bail after several hours but must appear in a Taliban court.
Regional Developments
New Information on 2024 Crocus City Hall Attack – New details have emerged about the March 2024 Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow, which killed 149 and injured 500. According to Russian state agency TASS, suspect Saidakrami Rachabalizoda allegedly traveled from Turkey to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan via Pakistan on a fake passport, where he received ISKP training. He met co-assailant Shamsiddin Fariduni in Istanbul, while other attackers were based in Russia. Investigators say the group also trained in Turkey and met planners in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
SIV Processing Delays in Dushanbe – The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe has sharply reduced visa appointment availability for non-Tajik nationals, leading to significant delays, with Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) processing times potentially exceeding Tajikistan visa validity. Applicants are strongly advised not to travel to Tajikistan until they receive an emailed appointment confirmation from the Consular Section. The embassy will not expedite cases based on visa status or presence in Tajikistan and cannot assist with obtaining Tajik visas, entry, legal stay, or deportation issues, nor provide documentation for applicants awaiting interview scheduling or administrative processing.
Taliban PM Trip to Pakistan Postponed – On Monday, Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Muttaqi’s trip to Islamabad was postponed due to “technical issues,” with reports suggesting the UN Security Council may have played a role. The visit aimed to strengthen Kabul-Islamabad ties.
27th Anniversary of Killing of Iranian Diplomats in Mazar – On Friday, marking the 27th anniversary of the 1998 killing of eight Iranian diplomats and a journalist in Mazar-i-Sharif, Iran’s Foreign Ministry reiterated demands for full accountability. While the Taliban denied official involvement, Iran continues to hold them responsible and seeks identification and prosecution of those behind the attack. Tehran described the incident as a grave violation of international diplomatic norms.
Iran Statement on Afghan Drug Production – On Tuesday, Iran’s anti-narcotics chief Saeed Zolfaghari reported a rise in synthetic drug smuggling, including meth and heroin, from Afghanistan. He criticized Taliban claims of controlling 90% of narcotics production, saying drugs are still produced underground in dangerous forms. His remarks echo Tajikistan’s earlier concerns about increased trafficking along its border with Afghanistan.
Afghan Acting Minister Statement on Pakistan – On Friday, Taliban Acting Energy and Water Minister Mansour stated in an interview with Shamshad TV that Afghanistan's neighbors, especially Pakistan, do not tolerate a strong central government in Afghanistan—regardless of whether it is led by the Taliban, Mujahideen, or Communists. He emphasized that this opposition persists regardless of the ruling group’s identity or ideology.
Miscellaneous
Artifacts Moved from Mes Aynak – Afghanistan’s Department of Archaeology has transferred 1,430 ancient artifacts from Mes Aynak in Logar to a central preservation center. The collection includes pottery, coins, inscriptions, and items dating back over 5,000 years from the Kushan and Sassanid eras. While officials emphasize their historical significance and plan to display them at the National Museum, criticism remains over the handling and protection of these culturally important artifacts.
Flooding in Several Provinces – Recent flooding triggered by heavy rainfall in Jawzjan, Laghman, Kunar, and Khost provinces has killed four people and severely damaged property, according to the Taliban’s Disaster Management Authority. The floods destroyed 25 homes, damaged 45, affected 71 families, and ruined 330 acres of farmland and 830 solar panels. In Kunar’s Dangam district, two girls died after being swept away by floodwaters. Other districts like Asmar, Shiltan, and Asadabad also suffered serious economic damage. The extent of destruction in many areas remains under assessment.
NEXT WEEK
In Afghanistan, increased checkpoints, house-to-house searches, phone checks, and arbitrary detentions are likely in the lead-up to the anniversary of the Taliban takeover. Security checkpoints on main travel routes, vehicle searches, and heightened security measures should be expected nationwide, particularly on roads to major cities and in the north. Taliban celebrations and military parades, similar to those in previous years, are likely and may be targeted by resistance forces or ISKP. Crackdowns on alleged moral crimes or against minorities accused of supporting resistance are highly likely over the coming week. Journalists may also be targeted for reporting on human rights abuses.
Deportations continue in both Iran and Pakistan. In Pakistan, deportations of those holding PoR cards have begun. Additionally, increased violence in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in border areas, may impact travel between Afghanistan and Pakistan. In Iran, Census cards for Afghans are considered invalid. All Afghans without valid visas are at risk of deportation in both Iran and Pakistan. Afghans in third countries should ensure they maintain valid legal status and carry proper documentation at all times. Travel should be minimized, large gatherings avoided, and identification kept readily accessible. Even individuals with valid documents may face detention.
Afghans deported from Iran and Pakistan may face biometric screening and phone searches at the border. Precautions should be taken prior to crossing, if possible: phones should be wiped of anti-Taliban content, contact names changed, social media accounts locked, and discretion exercised when securing housing and planning movements.
In the United States, a broad travel ban affecting Afghans remains in place, though SIV cases are exempt. All Afghans—including Green Card holders—are strongly advised to avoid international travel at this time. More information on the travel ban can be found here
CARE is expected to close by September 30. SIV and immigrant visa cases not affected by the travel ban continue to be processed but must now be handled at U.S. embassies or consulates in third countries. CARE flights have ended and will not resume. Applicants are responsible for all associated costs, including travel, medical exams, accommodation, and onward travel to the United States. They must also maintain valid legal status (i.e., a visa) in the host country.
SIV applicants planning to travel to third countries should confirm that the embassy in their intended destination is able to process SIV cases and determine the expected timeline. Many countries that previously processed visas, such as Rwanda and Tajikistan, are no longer viable options. Those considering case transfers are strongly encouraged to research local visa processing times, cost-of-living conditions, and the cost and feasibility of visa renewals in advance. For more information on processing in Dushanbe specifically, please refer to the regional news section of today’s Digest.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Afghanistan: Relentless Repression 4 Years into Taliban Rule
Human Rights Watch
The Taliban have deepened their repression since taking over Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, by intensifying restrictions on the rights of women and girls, detaining journalists, and silencing all dissent, Human Rights Watch said today. Afghanistan now faces one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, exacerbated by donor governments’ aid cuts and the return of 1.9 million refugees expelled from Iran and Pakistan.
The Taliban have continued to bar girls from education beyond the sixth grade and women from universities. Women also face severe restrictions on employment, freedom of movement, and access to public spaces and services. These rights violations have limited their access to humanitarian aid and health care. On July 8, 2025, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for the Taliban leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, and the chief justice, Abdul Hakim Haqqani, on a charge of the crime against humanity of gender persecution.
“The fourth anniversary of the Taliban takeover is a grim reminder of the gravity of the Taliban’s abuses, particularly against women and girls,” said Fereshta Abbasi, Afghanistan researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The Taliban’s abhorrent acts should compel governments to support efforts to hold the Taliban leadership and all those responsible for serious crimes in Afghanistan to account.”
The Taliban have harshly enforced a draconian 2024 law on the “propagation of virtue and prevention of vice” that stipulates rules on dress and behavior. Enforcement committees at the local level have carried out raids on workplaces, monitored public spaces, and established checkpoints to inspect mobile phones and question vehicle occupants and pedestrians.
AFGHAN NEWS
Farshid Aram and Rad Radan
Safia thought she had finally found safety for herself and her children. After years of violence and hardship at the hands of her husband, a police officer who became a Taliban commander in the western province of Herat, Safia and her two children had fled to Iran in 2018 to start a new life.
There, with the help of other refugee Afghan women, she had started a small clothing business and had built a fragile but dignified life for herself and her family.
Two weeks ago, that all collapsed when Safia and her teenage children were given a deportation notice. They joined hundreds of thousands of other refugees being rounded up and forced back over the border into Afghanistan.
Now back in Herat, Safia lives in daily terror of her husband and his family.
Taliban Detains 10 for Playing Music at Weddings in Eastern Afghanistan
Kabul Now
The Taliban’s morality police have detained at least 10 people for playing music at two wedding ceremonies in eastern Laghman province, local sources told KabulNow.
Both incidents took place in Mehtarlam, the provincial capital, on Saturday night, August 9. In the first, Taliban forces raided a wedding in Mehtarlam’s first district, arresting six people. In the second, in Qarghayi district, they detained at least four young men during an engagement party.
Sources said the Taliban also seized music equipment during the raids.
REGIONAL NEWS
Five Afghans Among Nearly 100 Executed in Iran Last Month, Rights Group Says
Five citizens of Afghanistan were among 96 people executed in Iran in July, according to a Norway-based human rights organization, amid growing concerns over the country’s increasing use of the death penalty.
Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reported that the executions were carried out in multiple prisons across Iran. The group did not identify the Afghan nationals or specify the charges against them, but said most of those executed had been convicted of drug-related offenses.
Iranian authorities have not confirmed or commented on the report.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Afghan Soldiers Say UK Rejected Relocation Bids Despite Data Leak Exposure
Afghanistan international
Former Afghan military personnel who served alongside British forces during NATO’s mission in Afghanistan say their applications for relocation to the UK have been denied, despite a major data breach.
The breach exposed their identities and heightened the risks they face under Taliban rule.
In a statement sent to media outlets, several ex-servicemen said that human lives should not be left at the mercy of arbitrary decisions.
The controversy follows a 2022 leak of sensitive documents containing personal details of Afghans who supported British troops. The information was circulated online in 2023. Initially kept confidential under a court order, the case became public in 2025 after the High Court forced the government to disclose it. A secret relocation scheme was later launched, but many say their cases remain unresolved or unfairly rejected.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 68.47 AFN (As of August 10)