The Week of February 2-8
Security and Conflict
ISKP Voice of Khorasan Published – On Thursday, after a six-month hiatus, ISIS-K’s Al-Azaim Media released the 38th issue of its Pashto-language Voice of Khorasan magazine, spanning 99 pages. The edition highlights recent attacks claimed or praised by the group, including incidents in Kabul, Peshawar, Sydney, and clashes with Turkish forces. It continues ideological criticism of the Afghan Taliban, Pakistani Taliban, and the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement. Key articles focus on doctrinal debates over Muslim migration to non-Muslim countries, framed through the concepts of Dar ul-Kufr and Dar ul-Islam.
Clash at Nangarhar Airport – On Monday, a clash erupted between two Taliban factions at Jalalabad Airport in Nangarhar province after Kandahar-based Taliban reportedly attempted to force entry, triggering a confrontation with local forces. The dispute reportedly escalated from a verbal exchange into a physical altercation.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Human Rights Watch Report on Afghanistan – AA report released on Wednesday details a sharp escalation in Taliban repression across Afghanistan in 2025. The findings document sweeping restrictions on women’s rights, media freedom, and civil society. At least 414 people were subjected to public lashings, while four public executions and six killings of former security officials were recorded. The report also highlights worsening humanitarian conditions, with 22 million people facing food insecurity and more than 400 health facilities closing. It documents the forced return of over two million Afghans and increased persecution of minorities and LGBT individuals, alongside emerging international accountability efforts. The full report can be accessed here
Reports of Taliban Abuse in Bamiyan – Between late January and early February, residents of Mulla Ghulam village in Bamyan province filed a formal complaint accusing several Taliban police officers of years-long harassment and abuse. Allegations include beatings, armed attacks, and involvement in drug distribution. The most recent incident involved the stabbing of Wahid and the assault of 16-year-old Ali Asghar, both of whom required hospitalization. Despite repeated allegations, residents say the accused have avoided accountability. The Taliban governor’s office downplayed the incidents as a family dispute and denied any drug-related involvement by its members.
Former ANA Commander Arrested – On Friday, the Taliban reportedly arrested former Afghan army commander Colonel Abdulsalam and his son Abdulmatin in Badghis province. Sources say Abdulmatin was detained in a public market in Qala-e-Naw while searching for his father and taken to an unknown location.
Former Police officer Arrested in Panjshir – On Monday, the Taliban detained Farid Ahmad, a former police officer under the previous Afghan government, in the Abdullah Khil area of Dara district, Panjshir province. Ahmad had been living in Panjshir since the Taliban’s return to power. The reason for his arrest remains unknown.
Floggings – On Monday, one person was flogged in Kabul and two in Paktika. On Tuesday, 37 people were flogged in Kabul, three in Faryab, and seven in Laghman. On Wednesday, 22 people were flogged in Kabul, and one man and one woman were flogged in Kapisa. On Thursday, five men and three women were flogged in Parwan, and one man in Uruzgan. On Sunday, one person was flogged in Zabul.
Internal Politics
Islamic Unity Party Members Resign – On Tuesday, nearly 100 members of the Islamic Unity Party of the People of Afghanistan, led by Mohammad Mohaqiq, resigned in the western region, citing the erosion of collective decision-making and a lack of accountability. The group, which includes several senior figures, announced plans to form a new independent political movement. In a joint statement, they criticized recent leadership decisions and internal processes, saying these had hindered effective political engagement. Despite mediation efforts by Mohaqiq, talks failed, and the party leadership has not issued an official response.
Ministry Dismisses 86 Professors Based on Personal Views – The Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education has dismissed at least 86 university professors in recent months, primarily from faculties of Sharia, Islamic Studies, Islamic Culture, and Education. The affected academics taught at public universities in Kabul, Nangarhar, Balkh, Herat, Takhar, Badakhshan, Faryab, Baghlan, Kapisa, and Khost. Most dismissals reportedly followed ideological reviews assessing alignment with the Taliban’s religious interpretations. A ministry-appointed committee oversaw the evaluations, with professors perceived as holding differing views removed from their posts.
Economic Committee Offers Investors Residency – On Saturday, the Taliban’s Economic Commission, led by Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Baradar, approved a proposal to offer one-to-ten-year residency permits to foreign investors. A committee was tasked with finalizing the framework based on investment levels and sectors. While major investors remain cautious due to sanctions and legitimacy concerns, interest has reportedly been shown by investors from China, Iran, and other regional partners with growing ties to the Taliban.
International Developments
UNAMA Report on Human Rights – On Saturday, UNAMA released its human rights report. Per the report, between October and December 2025, UNAMA reported worsening human rights conditions in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, particularly affecting women, former officials, and civil society. Afghan women were barred from UN offices for 115 consecutive days and excluded from national medical exams, while strict dress codes were enforced, denying access to public services for women without chadors or burqas. At least 287 people, including 34 women and children, were subjected to judicial corporal punishment, and two public executions brought the total to 12 since August 2021. UNAMA documented 28 arbitrary arrests, seven cases of torture, and 14 killings of former government or security personnel, many recently returned from Iran or Pakistan. Freedom of expression was further restricted, with bans on human imagery in media and arbitrary arrests for social media content. The Taliban’s Propagation of Virtue Ministry carried out at least 520 arrests for moral code violations, raising serious concerns about due process and civil liberties. The full report can be accessed Here
UNAMA Report on Cross Border Casualties – Between October and December 2025, UNAMA documented a sharp rise in civilian casualties in Afghanistan linked to Pakistani military actions. During this period, 70 civilians were killed and 478 injured, the majority occurring amid intense cross‑border clashes from 10–17 October, which alone resulted in 47 deaths and 456 injuries. Spin Boldak district in Kandahar accounted for most of these casualties, especially on 15 October, when heavy mortar and aerial fire killed and injured dozens, many of them children and women. Later incidents in November and December added dozens more casualties, including attacks on residential homes and border crossings. UNAMA also reported long‑term impacts, such as permanent disabilities, trauma, and displacement, and noted that civilian harm from this quarter far exceeded figures from previous years of cross‑border incidents. The full reports can be accessed here
UN Security Council to Vote on Extending Taliban Sanctions – The UN Security Council is expected to vote on extending the mandate of the monitoring team supporting the Afghanistan 1988 Sanctions Committee, which oversees sanctions on Taliban-linked individuals and entities. The current mandate expires on February 17. If renewed, asset freezes, travel bans, and the arms embargo will remain in effect. Factors influencing the decision include the Taliban’s ties to extremist groups, restrictions on women’s rights, and the lack of inclusive governance.
UN Security Council Meeting on ISIS – On Wednesday, the UN Security Council met to discuss the growing global threat posed by ISIS, with particular attention on Afghanistan. A report by Secretary-General António Guterres, circulated on January 31, warned of the group’s expanding influence, especially in Africa, and identified ISIS-Khorasan as a significant security concern due to its continued activity in northern Afghanistan and border regions. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid rejected the concerns, calling them unfounded and claiming ISIS-K has been defeated inside Afghanistan and has since “found shelter in the neighborhood.”
Taliban Ask for Aid to Not be “Politicized” – On Thursday, amid worsening winter conditions and a surge in returning Afghan migrants, Taliban Minister of Refugees Abdul Kabir met with UNHCR’s Afghanistan representative and urged that humanitarian assistance remain separate from political considerations. He emphasized the urgent needs of returnees from Iran and Pakistan. Aid organizations have warned of a deepening crisis as international funding declines. The Red Cross reported widespread service center closures, while the IRC noted that Afghanistan received only 12% of global climate adaptation funding in 2022 despite accounting for roughly 70% of global humanitarian and food needs among crisis-affected countries.
Doha Process Meeting on Conternarcotics held in Kabul – On Wednesday, the fourth meeting of the Doha Process working group on counter-narcotics was held at the Kabul Grand Hotel in a hybrid format, organized by UNAMA. Representatives from the Islamic Emirate, UN agencies, the EU, the OIC, and various diplomats and experts participated. Taliban officials reported a sharp decline in poppy cultivation and called for international support for alternative livelihoods and addiction treatment.
Turkey Downgrades Diplomatic Ties with the Taliban – On Wednesday, Türkiye downgraded its diplomatic representation in Afghanistan, appointing Sadin Ayyildiz as chargé d’affaires in Kabul following the departure of Ambassador Cenk Unal. Ayyildiz met with Taliban acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in the health and economic sectors. The move signals a reduced level of diplomatic engagement with the Taliban-led administration.
Pakistan Statement to UN on Cross-Border Terrorism – On Monday, Pakistan’s UN envoy Asim Iftikhar Ahmad warned that cross-border terrorism originating from Afghanistan is escalating and has become “unbearable.” His remarks followed deadly attacks in Balochistan, which Pakistan blamed on militant groups allegedly backed by India. Islamabad accused the Taliban of sheltering insurgents, including the TTP and BLA, and urged compliance with the 2020 Doha Agreement, under which the Taliban pledged to prevent Afghan territory from being used to threaten other countries.
Taliban Officials in Indonesia for Counternarcotics Discussion – On Saturday, an eight-member delegation from the Taliban-run Ministry of Interior’s Counter-Narcotics Department, led by Haseebullah Ahmadi, arrived in Jakarta for an official visit. The trip, supported by Japan and organized by UNODC, includes Health Ministry officials and aims to strengthen cooperation on counter-narcotics efforts and drug addiction treatment through a series of meetings and discussions.
Regional Developments
Reported Increase in Drug Trafficking to Tajikistan – Tajikistan reported a sharp rise in drug trafficking from Afghanistan in 2025, with seizures increasing to 2,742 kg, up from 1,824 kg in 2024. Officials confirmed 17 border clashes with traffickers, leaving two Tajik guards and 10 Afghans dead. Authorities warn that drug routes from Afghanistan remain active, while cross-border attacks this year also killed several Chinese nationals.
Smuggled Afghan Migrants Arrested in Turkey – On Sunday, Turkish police arrested 31 Afghan migrants and one Pakistani in Sakarya and Bingöl during operations targeting undocumented migration and human trafficking. Twenty Afghans were deported, while 12 others were sent to deportation centers. Authorities also launched legal action against six suspected traffickers.
Iran Discusses Border Cooperation – On Monday, Iran’s acting envoy in Kabul, Alireza Bikdeli, met with Afghan Minister Noorullah Noori to discuss bilateral cooperation on border management. Bikdeli stressed that enhanced border coordination is key to strengthening broader Iran–Afghanistan relations.
Kazakhstan Pledges Medical Support – On Monday, Balkh Public Health Director Rahmatullah Mansoor met with Olzhas Matayev, an advisor to the Kazakh Embassy, to discuss strengthening healthcare services in the province. Matayev pledged support for completing cancer, infectious disease, and burn hospitals, upgrading the regional hospital’s emergency department, and constructing a new 200-bed facility. He also committed to providing medical training programs, according to the Balkh Provincial Public Health Directorate.
Meeting with Turkmenistan – On Monday in Herat, Mullah Baradar and Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister Rashid Meredov led delegations in talks aimed at expediting joint projects and strengthening economic cooperation. The discussions focused on advancing key bilateral initiatives and enhancing regional connectivity and collaboration.
US Visa Processing Information/US Legal Information (No major changes since 2/1/26)
Update for Afghan SIVs awaiting Interview – Starting January 1, 2026, the expanded U.S. travel ban will block Afghan SIV applicants from receiving visas or entering the United States, though those with issued visas may still enter. Even if an application has already been approved, a U.S. embassy may deny the visa under Section 212(f) of U.S. immigration law. This type of denial is final, not temporary. The denial cannot be appealed.
If a visa is denied under 212(f), the applicant may need to apply again if the travel ban is lifted in the future. However, this denial should not cancel the underlying approval of the case (COM Approval remains valid). IRAP is currently recommending that Afghans with visa appointments consider postponing their interview dates. SIVs should seek legal advice prior to making a decision on attending a visa interview at this time.
New restrictions On SIV Entry – A new U.S. travel ban took effect on January 1, 2026, expanding restrictions to nationals of 39 countries. For Afghanistan, the policy ends the blanket exemption previously granted to SIV holders. Under the new framework, any exceptions for Afghan SIV recipients must be individually approved by the U.S. Attorney General, Secretary of State, or Secretary of Homeland Security. This high-level, case-by-case review is expected to significantly limit, or effectively halt, the entry of Afghan SIV applicants while the ban remains in place. The ban also imposes broad restrictions on both immigrant and nonimmigrant travel from affected countries. No new visas are being issued, and the ban will remain in effect for at least six months, with the possibility of extension.
SIV Processing – As of November 27, the U.S. State Department has paused the issuance of all visas for Afghan passport holders. This includes SIVs, follow-to-join applications, and family-based petitions. On December 2, the U.S. government also announced a pause on COM decisions for SIV applicants. Both actions are described as temporary pauses, not terminations of the SIV program. It remains unclear how long these measures will be in effect. More detailed information can be found Here
Travel Ban and Benefit Review – The U.S. has introduced stricter immigration rules for nationals of 39 countries, including Afghanistan. Immigration applications are now paused, and pending cases, such as Green Cards and citizenship, are on hold. Individuals who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021, may have their previously approved immigration benefits reviewed again. The administration has agreed to hand over a list of cases that will be reviewed within the next 90 days. Additional security checks will also apply. Issues with identity documents or perceived risks linked to one’s country may now negatively affect cases. The full guidance is available in Dari or Pashto
Refugee Review – The U.S. government will re-examine refugee approvals for individuals admitted between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025, even for those who already hold Green Cards. USCIS may review both the initial refugee determination and the Form I-485 application. Green Card applications for refugees from this period are currently paused. Refugees from travel-ban countries will also be subject to the stricter review and enhanced security checks noted above. More information is available in Dari or Pashto
Asylum Cases Paused for Afghans – USCIS has paused decisions on all new and pending affirmative asylum applications. No approvals or denials will be issued during this period. However, this pause does not affect asylum cases in immigration court, which will continue moving forward. New asylum applications may still be filed, but no decisions will be made until the pause is lifted. No end date has been announced.
Work Permit Changes – Most new Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) will no longer be valid for five years. Under a new rule, many applicants will now receive EADs valid for 18 months, while others may receive permits valid for one year or less. These changes apply to applications submitted or pending on or after December 5, 2025 (for 18-month permits) and July 22, 2025 (for one-year permits). Existing EADs remain valid until their printed expiration dates.
NEXT WEEK
In Afghanistan, no major changes or operations are expected over the coming week. Heavy snowfall is forecast to continue across much of the country, particularly in central and northern regions, making travel increasingly difficult. Mountainous areas will be especially affected, with road closures and hazardous conditions likely, including potential closures along the Salang route.
In Iran, conditions remain tense and unpredictable. Trials linked to the nationwide protests have begun, signaling a more punitive phase in the state’s response. Internet restrictions are expected to continue, further limiting access to information and communication. Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high, with security flare-ups possible in the coming week.
The Pakistan–Afghanistan border remains closed, with land crossings restricted for Afghan nationals. Following two recent major attacks, the risk of further border tensions or incidents remains high in the coming week, as Pakistani officials continue to blame Afghanistan-based militant groups for security threats. Arrests and deportations of Afghans are likely to continue. Afghan citizens are strongly advised to ensure their documentation remains valid.
The United States has halted all visa processing for Afghan cases. Afghan SIV and other visa interviews are likely to result in denials under Section 212(f), which are permanent and non-appealable. IRAP and other legal service providers are advising Afghans to consider postponing interviews to avoid a 212(f) denial. All Afghans are currently barred from entering the United States unless they hold a valid visa issued prior to the ban.
Across the United States, ICE detentions continue to increase nationwide. It is critically important that Afghans understand their legal rights. Individuals are encouraged to review the ICE raid section of the U.S. processing guidance and consult the know your rights guide.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Deportations – Iran deported 832 Afghan migrants between January 31 and February 6, according to Taliban authorities, with most returns reported as involuntary. The deportees entered Afghanistan through border crossings including Pul-e-Abresham and Islam Qala. The previous week, Iran expelled 614 Afghans.
Five Afghans Executed This Year – Iranian authorities executed five prisoners at Ghezel Hesar Prison, including Afghan national Ahmad Farhad Haidari from Herat, who had been convicted of premeditated murder. One execution took place on January 8, followed by four more on January 28, according to Iran Human Rights. Rights groups report a sharp increase in the execution of Afghans since the Taliban’s return to power, with at least 85 Afghan nationals executed in 2025.
PAKISTAN
Attack on Shia Mosque – On Friday, a suicide bombing at the Khadija Tul Kubra Shia mosque in Islamabad killed at least 31 people and wounded dozens more during Friday prayers. The attacker reportedly opened fire on security guards before detonating explosives inside the prayer hall. Emergency services transported 169 victims to hospitals, with several reported to be in critical condition. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility. Pakistani officials said the bomber had traveled to Afghanistan multiple times and suggested possible links to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and India.
Deportations Continue – Between January 31 and February 6, Pakistan deported 14,576 Afghan migrants, according to the Taliban’s refugee commission, marking a continued rise in forced returns. Many deportees were first detained and held at Haji Camp in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before being sent back to Afghanistan. Crossings used included Torkham, Spin Boldak, and Bahramcha. This follows the deportation of more than 12,000 Afghans the previous week.
Five Afghan Journalists Arrested in 2 Weeks – On Monday, the Afghan Media Support Organization reported that five Afghan journalists were detained by Pakistani police over the past two weeks, including Samim Farogh Faizi and Attaullah Shirzad. Although they have since been released, AMSO said arbitrary arrests and security threats against Afghan journalists in Pakistan continue.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Afghanistan Drug Use Assessment
UNODC
Persistent data collection constraints and gaps in representativeness impede a fully comprehensive analysis. Data collection in Afghanistan remains difficult, particularly in measuring stigmatized behaviours such as drug use. For this assessment, operational constraints and restrictions imposed by De Facto Authorities (DfA) limited proper sampling and data collection, affecting the geographical coverage and gender distribution. As a result, some regions, especially in the South and East, are underrepresented and data on women’s drug use remain limited. These limitations have precluded any nationally representative estimates of drug use prevalence and hinder a complete understanding of drug use trends.
Drug use in Afghanistan is embedded socially yet disproportionally affects vulnerable men. Men who report past-year drug use are typically married, live with family and are connected to work or are job seeking, yet they are younger, more often experience un- or underemployment, report lower levels of educational attainment, are more likely to have diagnosed health conditions, and are more likely to self-medicate than those who do not use drugs.
Cannabis dominates measures of use while opium - traditionally the primary substance of use documented by treatment admissions-, is now less frequently used in the last year than pharmaceutical products such as sedatives and opioid analgesics. Cannabis is the most used drug among men, according to self-reports and perceptions of use among the community. Opium and heroin ranked second for lifetime use but were surpassed by pharmaceutical drugs for past- year use, indicating a possible shift in recent use patterns. This is presumably linked to the efforts by authorities to eliminate opium production starting in 2023, which could have reduced supply or access and thus nudged some consumers to substitutes that may still be available.
Provincial and urban patterns of perceived use differ. Across provinces, cannabis and opium remain central concerns, but perceived patterns of use vary, with tobacco, Tablet K, methamphetamine and Pregabalin particularly prominent in some areas such as Kabul, highlighting distinct regional and urban drug market profiles. Further, there appears to be variations in the reported perceptions of use between methamphetamine and Tablet K, an illegally manufactured tablet that, among other substances, often contains methamphetamine. Tablet K appears to have a higher perception of use in eastern provinces, while methamphetamine’s use is perceived to be higher in the west. It is possible that the regional perceptions of use between methamphetamine and Tablet K reflect different nomenclatures or use patterns of methamphetamine, as respondents could be referring to the same drug by different names or in different formulations.
Recent and poly-drug use focus on a small set of substances with high financial costs. Among men who used drugs in the past 30 days, about half used cannabis and substantial shares used opium, codeine, Tablet K and methamphetamine. Nearly one in eight of those using drugs in the past 30 days reported poly-drug use. The amount paid for substances such as methamphetamine and opium is likely to account for a large share or exceed a day’s wage for many workers. As a share of daily wage income, a use day for methamphetamine may cost 138% of a casual labourer’s wages or 67% for a skilled labourer. In turn, poverty, lack of employment, and financial hardship were linked to continued drug use.
AFGHAN NEWS
2 In 3 Afghan Provinces Hit By Drought, Says UN
Afghanistan International
More than two-thirds of Afghanistan’s provinces are facing drought and water shortages, with about 16 million people in urgent need of safe drinking water, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.
OCHA said demand for clean water, sanitation and hygiene services has risen sharply due to mass returns of Afghan migrants from neighbouring countries, prolonged drought, disease outbreaks and repeated floods and earthquakes.
Civil society groups propose political transition roadmap for Afghanistan
Siyar Sirat
A coalition of Afghanistan’s civil society organisations, political groups, academics and experts has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap proposing a UN-led political transition to replace Taliban rule with a legitimate, pluralistic and rights-based system of governance.
The proposal, known as the Comprehensive Composite Roadmap (CCR), was developed within the framework of the Cambridge Afghanistan Series, an annual conference hosted by the University of Cambridge, and facilitated by the Mosaic Global Foundation.
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan arrests 4 suspects in mosque bombing that killed 31 in the capital
MUNIR AHMED and MUHAMMAD YOUSAF
Pakistani security forces raided multiple locations and arrested four suspects, including the alleged mastermind, behind a suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque on the outskirts of the capital that killed 31 people, the interior minister said Saturday.
Pakistan sends helicopters, drones to end desert standoff; 58 dead
Saleem Ahmed and Asif Shahzad
Pakistani forces used drones and helicopters to wrest control of a southwestern town from separatist insurgents after a three-day battle, police said on Wednesday, as the number of civilians and security personnel killed in the violence rose to 58.
Saturday’s wave of coordinated attacks by the Baloch Liberation Army brought Pakistan’s largest province to a near standstill as insurgents set off explosives and exchanged fire with security forces in more than a dozen places.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
The US said a Marine could not adopt an Afghan girl. Records show officials helped him get her
CLAIRE GALOFARO and JULIET LINDERMAN
The judge wanted everyone in the courtroom to know that when he’d signed a war orphan over to an American Marine he thought it was an emergency — that the child injured on the battlefield in Afghanistan was on death’s door, with neither a family nor a country to claim her.
A lawyer for the federal government stood up.
“That is not what happened,” she told the judge: almost everything he’d believed about the baby was untrue.
Afghani to US Dollar: $1 – 64.61 AFN (As of February 8)