The Week of February 3-9
Security and Conflict
Talib Shoots Guard at UN Compound – On Monday, a Taliban fighter opened fire at a UN compound in Kabul, injuring a Nepalese UN security guard. The shooter was later found dead outside the site. UN guards did not return fire. Both the UN and the Taliban are investigating the incident. The Taliban’s Interior Ministry described it as a “one-way misunderstanding” without further explanation. Medical and forensic teams were dispatched, and the injured guard received hospital treatment for minor wounds.
Taliban Databases Hacked – On Tuesday, a group called Talib Leaks hacked the Taliban government’s database, leaking thousands of documents from 21 ministries, including Foreign Affairs, Finance, Justice, and the Supreme Court. The leaked files contain administrative records, official decrees, government correspondence, contracts, and security-related information. Documents from the Supreme Court, prison administration, and economic offices remain accessible. The group has previously hacked and released large numbers of Taliban documents. The Taliban confirmed the breach, indicating that the data may have been extracted from unsecured computers over time.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Former Police Commander Killed in Kandahar – On Monday, the Taliban allegedly killed former local police commander Aghajan in Kandahar’s Argandab district. He had been detained multiple times before and had remained in hiding since the Taliban's return to power.
Former ANSF Arrested – On Tuesday, the Taliban arrested former National Security officer Mojtaba in Kabul and transferred him to an unknown location. Originally from Kapisa’s Nijrab district, he had been unemployed since the Republic’s fall. The reason for his arrest remains unclear.
Information released on Incarcerated Women – A Talib Leaks data dump reveals that in 1402 (March 2023 – March 2024), the Taliban imprisoned 352 Afghan women and arrested 1,081 others. The files indicate a total of 18,000 detainees, including 1,374 Afghan women and six foreign women. Most female prisoners are held in Herat, Kabul, and Samangan, with many others detained across multiple provinces. The leak highlights the Taliban’s continued detentions and restrictions on Afghan women while exposing sensitive government records.
Increase in Arrests for Moral Crimes – On Saturday, the Taliban’s morality police arrested four people in Takhar and Faryab for reciting naat in a musical style, calling it “forbidden.” This is part of a broader crackdown that has led to 44 arrests in a month for alleged offenses such as “moral corruption” and “sorcery.” Residents fear these enforcements are further curtailing personal freedoms. Most arrests have occurred in Kandahar, Paktia, Khost, Ghazni, Kabul, Parwan, and Nangarhar.
Floggings – Over the past three weeks, the Taliban have publicly flogged at least 44 people, including six women, across ten provinces, according to Supreme Court records. Floggings were conducted in Kabul, Uruzgan, Kapisa, Faryab, Kunduz, Nangarhar, Paktika, Parwan, Khost, and Kandahar.
Internal Politics
Rumors of Internal Rifts – Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada has deployed his loyalist forces to key locations in Kabul, including Bala Hissar and the airport, replacing Haqqani network personnel. Additionally, Kabul’s police districts have come under the control of Sadr Ibrahim and forces from the Taliban’s Kandahar office, sidelining Haqqani loyalists. The absence of Sirajuddin Haqqani, who was abroad with extended UN travel permission for Hajj, has fueled speculation about his standing. He returned to Afghanistan on Tuesday. Analysts warn that growing Taliban rifts, economic hardship, and public discontent could lead to major political shifts. The increasing militarization of Kabul has also heightened anxiety among residents.
Interior Ministry Creates Propaganda Film of Special Forces – Despite the Taliban’s ban on filming living beings, the Interior Ministry, led by Sirajuddin Haqqani, has produced We Are Ready 7, a propaganda film showcasing Taliban special forces. A five-minute trailer highlights military drills and features the ministry’s logo. This defiance of the ban—imposed by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue under Mullah Hibatullah—suggests growing divisions within the Taliban. The contradiction between Haqqani’s Interior Ministry promoting armed forces and Hibatullah’s strict decrees against visual media underscores internal power struggles over governance, media control, and military influence.
List of those Banned from Flights released – A leaked Taliban document reveals that 8,192 former Afghan officials have been banned from leaving Afghanistan in 1403 (2024) due to alleged legal cases. The order, personally approved by Mullah Hibatullah, contradicts the Taliban’s earlier amnesty pledge. The leaked documents also indicate that Taliban officials require special permission to travel. The exact charges remain unclear, raising concerns about politically motivated prosecutions against former government figures.
Intelligence Officers Banned from Other Ministries – Leaked documents show that Mullah Hibatullah has prohibited intelligence officers from openly operating in all government institutions, particularly the Defense and Interior Ministries. The order, issued by Noorul Haq Anwar, requires intelligence operations to be coordinated with senior officials. Reports suggest tensions between the Taliban’s intelligence agency and the Ministry of Interior prompted the order. However, the documents do not clarify why the ban applies only to these ministries.
International Developments
US Delegation Meets with Resistance Council – On Sunday, members of the High Council of National Resistance for the Salvation of Afghanistan, including Mohammad Mohaqiq and Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum, met with an American delegation from the Global Peace Operations Initiative. Mohaqiq denied reports of a meeting with a Pakistani delegation. While confirming the presence of senior US advisors, he did not disclose details of the discussions.
UN Security Council to Hold Meeting on ISK – The UN Security Council will meet on Monday to assess ISKP’s activities over the past six months. A UN report highlights the group’s threat within and beyond Afghanistan, citing the assassination attempt on Minister Khalilur Rahman Haqqani as an effort to undermine Taliban rule.
Taliban Condemn Uzbekistan Return of Helicopters to US – On Saturday, the Taliban’s Defense Ministry condemned Uzbekistan for transferring seven Black Hawk helicopters to the United States, demanding their return to Afghanistan. The helicopters were originally flown to Uzbekistan by Afghan pilots during the Taliban’s 2021 takeover and were recently handed over to the US at an event in Washington, DC.
Freedom of the Press
Women Run Radio Loses License – On Tuesday, the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture suspended Begum Radio, Afghanistan’s only women-run station, citing “numerous violations,” including sharing content with a foreign TV channel. Licensed in December 2021, the station allegedly breached broadcasting policies. The ministry stated that operations will remain halted while documents are reviewed, with a final decision pending. Two male employees were arrested following a raid on the station on Wednesday.
Religious Scholars released – The Taliban released Mawlawi Mahmood Hassan, Abdul Qadir Qanit, and Abdul Aziz Shuja, three clerics arrested on January 30, 2024, for criticizing the Kandahar faction’s power monopoly and calling for an inclusive government. Hassan’s family previously reported that he was severely tortured, highlighting the Taliban’s ongoing crackdown on dissenters.
Regional Developments
Border Tensions – Tensions between the Taliban and Pakistani border forces in Bahramcha, Helmand, have escalated since Tuesday. The Taliban have deployed reinforcements and ordered residents to evacuate, fearing heavy fighting. Local sources confirm roadblocks and increased military presence. Bahramcha, a key drug trafficking hub, remains vital to Taliban finances. Recent protests by farmers and smugglers highlight tensions over Taliban taxation and poppy field destruction. Neither side has issued an official statement.
Turkey takes Control of Afghan Embassy – On Thursday, Turkey took control of Afghanistan’s embassy in Ankara after months of negotiations, following Taliban pressure and disputes between former Afghan government diplomats and Taliban envoys. It remains unclear whether Turkey will hand the embassy over to the Taliban. The group had previously taken control of Afghanistan’s consulate in Istanbul and attempted to seize the embassy four months ago. The Taliban deny these claims, stating that the embassy continues to function normally.
Methamphetamine Seized in Tajikistan – On Tuesday, Tajikistan’s Drug Control Agency seized 121 kg of methamphetamine from an Afghan truck en route to China, hidden among precious stones on the Dushanbe-Kulma highway. The agency reports a 59% rise in synthetic drug seizures from Afghanistan in 2024. Another portion of the shipment was confiscated in Badakhshan’s Murgab region, highlighting Tajikistan’s growing role as a key transit point for Afghan drug trafficking.
EU-Tajikistan Meeting on Afghanistan – On Monday, EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan Tomas Niklasson met with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin to discuss Afghanistan and regional security. They explored cooperation on security threats and strengthening Tajikistan-EU ties. Tajikistan remains wary of the Taliban, citing concerns over militant groups in northern Afghanistan and rising drug trafficking.
Miscellaneous
Exchange Rate Issues – Money exchangers at Sarai Shahzada continue to reject the Taliban’s fixed exchange rate of 73 afghanis per dollar, secretly trading at market rates. Taliban intelligence has increased surveillance, shut down online rate-setting platforms, and recruited informants. Despite official claims of injecting $100 million to stabilize the currency, traders say the actual supply is much lower. The dollar recently surged from 69 to 83 afghanis.
Suspension of Aid Worsen Humanitarian Crisis – The restriction of U.S. foreign aid to Afghanistan has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, disproportionately impacting women and girls. Many aid projects have been suspended, leaving millions without access to food, healthcare, and employment. The UN estimates that $2.42 billion is needed to assist 17 million Afghans, but only $279 million has been secured, raising urgent concerns about meeting critical humanitarian needs.
NEXT WEEK
House-to-house searches, particularly in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, will continue this week as part of Pakistan’s phased deportation plan. The frequency of searches in Rawalpindi has increased, including night raids, and they may expand to neighboring cities. Afghan refugees, including those holding UNHCR cards, are urged to exercise caution in their movements. Individuals who have applied for visa extensions but have yet to receive them have also been targeted. Searches and deportations are expected to continue in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the Taliban are likely to persist in their intensified campaign of arrests, detentions, and killings of former government officials, ex-ANSF members, and individuals suspected of ties to resistance forces. Crackdowns on so-called moral crimes are also ongoing, with a rise in arrests and punishments for various offenses, a trend that is expected to continue.
In the US, as recommended last week, all Afghans should be aware of their legal rights regarding ICE enforcement and ensure they carry proper documentation at all times. Those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or parole should consult attorneys promptly to explore legal pathways to remain in the U.S. Additional resources are available in English and Dari. Additional resources for Afghans currently in the US on Parole can be found here and a guide for those who have sponsored Afghans can be found here.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Migrant Housing Shut Down – On Friday, Iranian authorities in Taybad, Khorasan Razavi province, shut down 17 housing units occupied by Afghan migrants, citing public demands and judicial orders. Prosecutor Hojjat Sediqi stated that property owners face legal action for violating laws prohibiting the rental or sale of property to unauthorized foreign nationals. Transporting undocumented migrants is also illegal, with violators facing vehicle impoundment for up to six months. Authorities recently sealed a lodging facility near the Dogharoun border crossing for hosting migrants.
PAKISTAN
Deportations Continue – Following last week's intensified detention and deportation of Afghans in Islamabad, searches have now expanded to Rawalpindi. On Thursday morning, Pakistani police conducted house-to-house searches in the Katriya Market refugee camp, arresting Afghan refugees. In Rawalpindi, house to house searches have been carried out in Faisal Town, B-17, I-10, Bhara Kahu, and G-13. Pakistan has begun deporting undocumented Afghan refugees, expelling 781 people via the Torkham border. However, refugees with pending migration cases to Europe will not be deported, as Pakistan plans to coordinate diplomatically with European countries. The Shehbaz Sharif-led government recently approved a new phase of mass deportations. Meanwhile, 26 Afghan families returned through the Torkham and Spin Boldak crossings as Pakistan enforces stricter border deportation measures.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Afghan Allies Risked Everything for US Missions. Urgent Action Is Needed to Protect Them.
Demi Hester
The safety of Afghan allies who stood by U.S. military and diplomatic efforts in Afghanistan is in immediate jeopardy. These individuals risked their lives to support American forces under dangerous and life-threatening conditions. Yet, despite their bravery, they are now facing immense obstacles in securing their safety through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. Years of bureaucratic delays, policy changes, and geopolitical instability under both the Biden and Trump administrations have left these individuals stranded and vulnerable. The recent suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has compounded their plight, putting their futures at grave risk.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban official in Kandahar accused of embezzling over $108,000
Setara Qudosi
A senior Taliban official in Kandahar has been accused of embezzling 8 million afghanis ($108,300) and misappropriating customs revenue, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The official, identified as Ahmad Akhundzada, head of the Weigh Stations Department at the Taliban’s Public Works Directorate in Kandahar, was summoned to court about a month ago along with several other officials from weigh stations in the Spin Boldak and Takhta Pul districts, the sources told Amu TV.
While Akhundzada has been released, the other officials remain in custody, the sources said.
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan threatens to deport Afghans in resettlement programs if cases are not swiftly processed
Munir Ahmed
Pakistan threatened to deport Afghan refugees awaiting relocation unless their cases are swiftly processed by host governments, officials said Monday.
Tens of thousands of Afghans fled to neighboring Pakistan after the Taliban took over in 2021 and were approved for resettlement in the U.S. through a program that helps people at risk because of their work with the American government, media, aid agencies and rights groups. However, after U.S. President Donald Trump paused U.S. refugee programs last month, around 20,000 Afghans are now in limbo in Pakistan.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Service members look to Trump to restart evacuations of Afghans who aided US forces
Lara Korte
Veterans groups are urging President Donald Trump to make exceptions for Afghan allies who are now barred from entering the United States under executive orders, including the families of active-duty service members left behind following the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 73.88 AFN (as of 9 February 2025)
