The Week of December 16-22
Note: Afghan Digest will be taking a break for the next 2 weeks. We will see you back in 2025
Security and Conflict
Taliban Kill Ismaili Teen in Badakhshan – On December 15, Taliban forces shot and killed 14-year-old Ismaili boy Islamuddin in Wakhan District, Badakhshan, according to local sources. A Taliban official described the incident as an "accident" and confirmed two arrests. This follows another recent killing in Faizabad, Badakhshan's capital, where Taliban forces shot a man.
Talib Killed in Parwan – On Thursday, unidentified gunmen assassinated Taliban commander Qari Zalmai outside his home in Khanjan Khel village, Sayed Khel District, Parwan. Zalmai, the Taliban's "Peripheral Area Commander," was killed in an attack that has yet to receive official comment from the Taliban. However, members circulated images of his body on social media.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Women Banned from Smartphone Use in Nangarhar – On Friday, the Taliban prohibited women from using smartphones in the markets of Jalalabad, Nangarhar. Taliban officials have been patrolling markets, warning women that smartphones will be confiscated if found. Similar restrictions were previously imposed in Kandahar and Takhar, where women's smartphone use was deemed "haram," and shopkeepers were instructed to avoid speaking with female customers. Local authorities have not provided any statements regarding this policy.
President Ghani’s Bodyguard Dead After Taliban Raid – Major Rahmdel Hanifi, a former bodyguard of ex-President Ashraf Ghani, committed suicide in Kabul after the Taliban detained his wife. Local sources report that Hanifi hanged himself on Sunday, December 25, in the "Qol Abchakhan" area after evading Taliban arrest for ten days. The Taliban raided his house four times without success and later arrested his wife, holding her in an undisclosed location for five days before her release. Hanifi had returned to Afghanistan last year under assurances provided by two Taliban officials.
Flogging – On Monday, one woman and two men were flogged in Samangan, while one man faced the same punishment in Paktika. On Tuesday, five individuals were flogged in Parwan Province. On Wednesday, eight people were flogged in Paktia Province, and on Sunday, one person was flogged in Kunduz.
Jamhuriyat Market Destroyed – Since December 15, the Taliban have been demolishing shops in Kabul's historic Jamhuriyat Market without prior notice, according to multiple sources. Shopkeepers report that 120 out of 171 shops have been destroyed so far. The Taliban have not commented on the demolition, leaving affected families in uncertainty. The market, which is over five decades old, holds significant economic and historical importance.
Internal Politics
Taliban Extend Meeting to Discuss Future of NGOs – On Saturday, a high-level Taliban meeting in Kandahar was extended by two days to focus on convincing Mullah Hibatullah to reconsider the ban on NGOs. Key ministers, including Mullah Baradar and Noor Jalal Jalali, are negotiating with Mullah Hibatullah, who seeks tighter NGO controls. This follows a December ban on women working in NGOs, which has worsened aid disruptions. Economic experts warn that further restrictions could exacerbate Afghanistan’s economic crisis, deepening poverty and food insecurity for millions reliant on foreign aid.
Special Economic Committee Meeting Held – On Monday, the Taliban’s Special Economic Committee met to address key issues. Discussions included preventing “harmful traditions” deemed impermissible under Sharia, distributing government land for housing and trade, and expanding industrial zones in Kabul, Nangarhar, Kandahar, Balkh, and Kunduz. Additional plans included long-term land leasing for agriculture and livestock, extracting Bamiyan's Hajigak iron mine, and regulating the smuggling of banned goods. The Taliban also directed ministries to prevent illegal imports of medicine and food. Unused highway land will be leased to the private sector for building mosques and traveler facilities, with procedures and plans assigned for implementation.
New Law Targeting Human Trafficking – On Saturday, Mullah Hibatullah issued a decree condemning human trafficking as incompatible with Islamic law and imposing penalties of 1-3 years in prison for offenders. Ministries were directed to combat trafficking, secure borders, and raise public awareness. A recent survey highlights poverty and unemployment as key drivers of trafficking in Afghanistan.
New Laws Introduced – On Thursday, the Taliban announced three new laws approved by Mullah Hibatullah, focusing on land distribution for returning refugees, state land leasing, and incentives for returning entrepreneurs. Refugees will receive housing and land in designated areas, with plans to establish settlements across Afghanistan. Over 1.2 million migrants returned in 2024, facing housing and livelihood challenges. Critics accuse the Taliban of altering the social fabric of northern Afghanistan. The laws aim to support reintegration, encourage business activities, and ensure effective use of state lands while addressing disputes.
Karzai Returns from International Trip – Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai returned to Kabul after visiting Germany, Britain, Türkiye, and the UAE, where he discussed intra-Afghan talks with officials and exiled Afghan leaders. The discussions focused on initiating a national dialogue, addressing Afghanistan's isolation, and ensuring continued humanitarian aid. Karzai, who remains in Afghanistan despite Taliban restrictions, has consistently urged the reopening of schools and universities for girls amid growing international criticism of Taliban policies.
Ministry Ordered to Address Pensions – On Saturday, Mullah Hibatullah ordered Taliban ministries to address unpaid pensions for former government employees, emphasizing solutions under Sharia law. The Ministry of Finance will organize payments starting December 10, and a special court will handle pension-related requests. However, no concrete plan to address the issue has been provided.
International Developments
Swedish Government Releases Report on Afghanistan – The Swedish government has released a report titled "Experiences and Lessons Learned," highlighting Afghanistan's dire situation, particularly for women and girls, while noting limited "hopeful signs." The report emphasizes that Afghanistan has received diminished global attention due to other international crises. It acknowledges the contributions of thousands of Swedes who worked in Afghanistan over two decades, during which six Swedish citizens and two Afghan interpreters lost their lives.
OCHA Report on Aid in Afghanistan – The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported 164 incidents of interference with humanitarian activities in Afghanistan last month, with 99% attributed to the Taliban. This marks an 11% increase from the previous year and a 56% rise from the prior month. Most incidents occurred in the southern, central, and western regions, leading to the suspension of 72 projects, the temporary closure of one facility, and the permanent cessation of two projects. Violence against humanitarian workers and facilities rose by 37%, including physical assaults and threats against staff.
Geneva Meeting of Special Representative to Afghanistan – On Monday, special representatives for Afghanistan from G7+ nations convened in Geneva to address the country's humanitarian crisis. Hosted by Switzerland, the meeting focused on economic collapse, food insecurity, and Taliban-imposed restrictions on women and girls. Swiss official Heinrich Schellenberg described the situation as one of the world's “most severe and complex humanitarian crises.”
China Calls on International Community to Release Frozen Funds – China’s Deputy UN Representative, Geng Shuang, called on Western countries to unfreeze Afghanistan’s assets, terming the freeze unlawful and urging the unconditional release of funds to aid the humanitarian crisis. Pakistan’s former ambassador to China, Salman Bashir, echoed these calls, emphasizing the Taliban's global engagement. Meanwhile, China supported the extension of the UN's Taliban sanctions monitoring mandate as the U.S. redirected $3.5 billion of Afghanistan’s frozen $7 billion.
EU Special Representative Statement Following Trip to Kabul – On Monday, December 16, Thomas Niklasson, the EU Special Representative for Afghanistan, concluded a five-day visit to Kabul. He expressed concern over human rights, political restrictions, and the economic crisis, specifically condemning the Taliban’s ban on girls attending health institutes. Niklasson discussed regional terrorism concerns and reaffirmed the EU's commitment to supporting Afghans through aid organizations. He announced €45 million in funding for new projects while advocating for constructive engagement with the Taliban.
Freedom of the Press
Arezoo Employees Released on Bail – On Saturday, seven Arezoo TV employees detained by Taliban intelligence were released on bail, but the station’s Kabul office remains closed, with their trial scheduled for next week. Authorities accuse the station of broadcasting "immoral content." The Afghanistan Journalists Center condemned the raid and detentions as violations of press freedom, urging the unconditional resumption of operations. The closure has halted 60% of broadcasts, with limited programming continuing from Mazar-e-Sharif.
Regional Developments
Kam Air Starts Direct Flights to Doha – Kam Air has begun direct flights between Kabul and Doha, Qatar, following an air services agreement signed in November between Taliban and Qatari aviation officials. The inaugural flight on December 18 was welcomed by Taliban envoy Mohammad Naeem. This initiative aims to enhance travel convenience for passengers.
Miscellaneous
Traffic Accidents on Kabul-Kandahar Highway and Ghazni – Two fatal accidents occurred on the Kabul-Kandahar highway near Shahbaz in Ghazni and Nani Bazaar in Andar District, resulting in 52 deaths and 65 injuries. In response, the Taliban suspended the operations of two transportation companies, "Mirwais Nika" and "Mohmand Baba," and deployed a technical team to investigate. The Taliban’s Ministry of Transport attributed the accidents to poor road conditions and traffic law violations. An emergency meeting was held to implement preventative measures, and on Sunday, the Taliban suspended 40 additional buses, citing technical issues.
Drug Seizure in Nangarhar – In Nangarhar's Durbaba District, Taliban authorities seized 34.8 kg of methamphetamine, 4.4 kg of heroin, and other narcotics during a house search. The operation, led by the Counter-Narcotics Directorate of the Ministry of Interior, targeted drug-related activities in the region.
EU Allocates Funds to Agha Khan in Afghanistan – On Monday, the EU announced €19.8 million in funding for a €22 million, three-year project in Afghanistan implemented by the Aga Khan Foundation. The initiative aims to empower the economy, create jobs, and improve women's livelihoods, focusing on women, youth, displaced people, and farmers. The project addresses climate change and is expected to benefit over 34,200 families. The EU emphasized that the aid will be delivered impartially and without Taliban involvement.
Japan Announces Aid – Japan pledged $27.5 million in humanitarian assistance to address Afghanistan's worsening crisis. The funds will support relief efforts through UN agencies, international organizations, and NGOs. Since August 2021, Japan has provided over $505 million in aid to Afghanistan. The Japanese Embassy expressed hope that the assistance will alleviate the struggles of vulnerable Afghans amid deteriorating economic and humanitarian conditions under Taliban rule.
Norway Donates TO Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan – Norway has donated $4.48 million to the UN’s Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA), which supports vulnerable communities, including displaced persons and refugees. Established after the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, the STFA has mobilized $204 million and assisted 5 million people, nearly half of them women. As Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis deepens, the UN faces a significant funding gap for its $3.07 billion aid appeal.
NEXT WEEK
In Afghanistan, internal rifts within the Taliban have intensified over the past few weeks. In response, efforts to project unity are expected through cabinet meetings and the implementation of new policies. Regional and international dynamics have emboldened the Taliban, particularly Russia's recent move to remove the group from banned lists. Additionally, the impending change in U.S. leadership has prompted the Taliban to present a unified front, standing firm on their principles as they remain uncertain about the policies President-elect Trump will adopt toward Afghanistan.
In Pakistan, authorities announced three weeks ago that a Certificate of No Objection would be required for Afghans planning to reside in Islamabad. Since then, no further updates or guidance have been provided. It remains unclear whether the certificates will indeed be mandated. Afghans in Islamabad should stay alert to the possibility of this restriction being enforced and ensure compliance with any applicable rules. There is a risk that the restriction could be applied arbitrarily to detain or deport Afghans.
In Iran, anti-Afghan sentiment and deportations persist. Authorities aim to deport 2 million Afghans by March 2025, and efforts to meet this target may lead to increased detentions and deportations. Numerous reports indicate that returnees from Iran have been detained by the Taliban upon re-entering Afghanistan. Those currently in Iran and recent returnees are advised to exercise caution.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Afghan National Executed – On Wednesday, Iran executed six individuals, including Afghan national Abdul Bari Pakohi, at Qazalhisar Prison near Tehran, according to Hengaw. Pakohi was convicted on drug-related charges.
Revolutionary Guard Charged in US Court – On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice charged IRGC captain Mohammad Reza Nouri with murder and terrorism for his alleged role in the 2022 killing of American citizen Stephen Troell in Iraq.
Iranian Consulate Employee Killed in Damascus – On Saturday, an employee of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus succumbed to injuries sustained in an attack on his vehicle the previous Sunday, Iran's Foreign Ministry announced. Tehran held Syria's transitional government responsible for identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators and vowed to pursue the case through diplomatic and international channels.
PAKISTAN
TTP Attack in South Waziristan – On Saturday, the TTP claimed responsibility for an attack on a Pakistani military checkpoint in South Waziristan, resulting in 35 soldiers killed. Pakistani officials confirmed the attack but reported 16 soldiers dead and 9 injured. The TTP also claimed to have seized military equipment. This assault follows the death of senior TTP leader Maulana Taha in a Pakistani military operation. Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban of enabling TTP attacks, allegations the Afghan Taliban deny.
Chief of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Statement on TTP in Afghanistan – On Monday, Ali Amin Gandapur, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, alleged that 22,000 to 24,000 TTP members, whom he referred to as “Pakistani terrorists,” have found safe havens in Afghanistan.
US introduces New Sanctions on Pakistan Missile Program – On Wednesday, the U.S. imposed new sanctions on four entities linked to Pakistan's ballistic missile program under Executive Order 13382. The targeted entities include Pakistan’s National Development Complex and three companies allegedly supplying missile-related equipment. This action follows earlier sanctions on Chinese entities aiding Pakistan’s missile development efforts. The U.S. cited concerns over Pakistan’s long-range missile proliferation as the rationale for these measures.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Water as Leverage? Improving Iran’s Treatment of Afghan Migrants
Said Hashmat Sadat, Nasrat Sayed
From October 14 to 15, more than 200 Afghan migrants attempting to enter Iran irregularly were reportedly attacked by Iranian border guards. HalVash, an advocacy group for the Baloch people that is based in Iran, claimed that dozens were killed and many injured but the Associated Press has been unable to verify the attack, highlighting the difficulty in obtaining information in Sistan-Balochistan. However, an initial investigation by the Taliban confirmed that two migrants were killed and dozens wounded. The number of deaths might increase after further examination as some migrants were still missing when the Taliban completed their initial investigation at the end of October.
This incident is not the first time that Iranian border guards have attacked Afghan migrants. In 2020, they were accused of torturing a group of Afghan migrants and pushing them into the Harirud River, where several migrants drowned. In the same year, three Afghan refugees died when Iranian police shot at their car. In addition, other violations — such as forcing Afghan migrants into labor, beating them, throwing stones at their homes, and shouting at them that they should leave Iran — are also on the rise.
These anti-Afghan sentiments in Iran have intensified in recent times as Afghan migrants have come to be perceived as economic and security threats — and climate change has made matters worse. High temperatures have created a prolonged drought, resulting in a decrease in the water supply from Afghanistan’s Helmand River into Iran, which is now an added factor that is contributing to the mistreatment of Afghan migrants.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban arrest 30 following Khalil Haqqani’s assassination: Sources
Qaseem Azizi
Taliban intelligence forces have arrested 30 members of the security team at the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation in connection with the assassination of Khalil Rahman Haqqani, the Taliban’s minister for refugees, sources said.
Haqqani was killed on Wednesday, December 11, in a suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) after returning from a meeting at the presidential palace where he performed the afternoon prayers.
The attack occurred outside a mosque within the ministry’s compound as Haqqani greeted visitors, sources said. The explosion also killed five of his bodyguards.
Taliban PVPV arrests 44 people in a month
Qaseem Azizi
The Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (PVPV) has arrested 44 people, including six women, in the past month across Afghanistan, according to data released by the ministry.
The arrests were made over allegations such as “moral corruption,” gambling, sorcery, illicit relationships, and other acts considered violations of Islamic law.
The crackdown, which affected 12 provinces, marks an intensification of the Taliban’s enforcement of their strict interpretation of Islamic principles, raising concerns among citizens and human rights advocates about increasing intrusions into personal freedoms.
WFP Seeks $718 Million to Fund Operations in Afghanistan for the Next Six Months
Kabul Now
The World Food Programme (WFP) announced that it needs $718 million to continue its operations in Afghanistan for the next six months.
In a post on X on Tuesday, the UN food agency expressed concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, stating that nearly 15 million people do not know where their next meal will come from.
While global attention remains focused on the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, the UN agency highlights Afghanistan as another critical hotspot requiring attention and substantial international aid intervention. However, in 2024, both the size of the annual appeal and the number of people it aims to assist have been reduced due to a decline in donations.
REGIONAL NEWS
The Roots Of Kurram's Bloodshed
Zia Ur Rehman
The November 21 ambush on civilian passenger convoys going from Parachinar in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Kurram district to Peshawar shocked the country. The death toll from the heavy firing on the vehicles soon climbed to 49. Its repercussion was another round of retaliatory attacks and bloodletting, with the combined total of those who lost their lives to this latest sectarian conflagration reaching over a hundred.
Kurram, with its towering peaks, ancient maple groves and fertile fields, has long presented a serene façade to the outside world. But, beneath this picturesque surface, deep-rooted tensions simmer between the Sunni and Shia tribes. This borderland, nestled against Afghanistan’s frontier, has known little peace — at least for the past several months.
Pakistan military court sentences 25 civilians over 2023 attacks
Siyar Sirat
A Pakistani military court has sentenced 25 civilians to terms of two to 10 years of “rigorous imprisonment” for their involvement in attacks on military facilities during nationwide unrest in 2023, the military’s media wing announced on Saturday.
The sentencing has intensified concerns among supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who fear that military courts may increasingly be used to prosecute cases involving the 72-year-old leader. Khan faces multiple charges, including allegations of inciting violence against the armed forces.
Pakistan: Govt forms committee to negotiate with ex-PM Imran Khan’s party
First Post
The Shehbaz Sharif-led government in Pakistan has formed a committee to start formal talks with Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, following its threat to call for civil disobedience.
The committee includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, political aide Rana Sanaullah, Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and other key figures. PTI welcomed the formation of the committee, calling it a “positive step” towards resolving the situation.
”We consider the committee’s formation a constructive step. Meaningful dialogue based on positive intentions should be held,” PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Refugees Are Bracing for Trump to Cut the Resettlement Program Again
Miriam Jordan, Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Hamed Aleaziz
The United States refugee program, long a pillar of American foreign policy, has experienced dramatic ups and downs in recent years.
During his first term, President-elect Donald J. Trump drastically reduced the annual refugee cap. In 2020, the final full year of that term, the United States admitted about 11,000 refugees, a record low.
Then President Joe Biden revived the program. In the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, about 100,000 refugees arrived to the country, the largest tally in nearly three decades.
Greek authorities say boat capsizing victims and survivors were from Afghanistan. 2 Turks arrested
Associated Press
Greece’s coast guard said Saturday it was searching for survivors or victims of a speedboat capsizing a day earlier involving migrants off the eastern Greek island of Rhodes.
The capsizing, the result of the boat’s maneuvering to evade a patrol vessel according to authorities, left eight confirmed dead.
A total of 18 migrants — 12 men, three women and three minors — all Afghan nationals, were rescued, the coast guard said Saturday. The dead were also from Afghanistan, it said.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.12 AFN (as of 22 December 2024)
