The Week of January 12-18
Security and Conflict
Four Killed at Afghanistan-Tajikistan Border – On Sunday, four armed men were killed in a clash with Tajik border forces after illegally crossing from Afghanistan, Tajik authorities said. The incident occurred in Shamsiddin Shohin district near the Badakhshan border, after the group reportedly entered from Darbandak village. Officials said the men ignored orders to surrender and opened fire, prompting a response from border troops. Authorities reported seizing three Kalashnikov rifles, a foreign-made pistol, ammunition, mobile phones, a radio communication device, and a boat.
Alleged ISKP Suicide Bomber Killed in Herat – On Monday, an alleged ISKP-affiliated suicide bomber was killed by Taliban security forces in Herat before he could carry out an attack. The intended target was reportedly a senior official from the province’s air force brigade. Other sources have claimed the individual was a disgruntled former Talib. Afghan authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the incident.
Reported fighting at Pakistan Border – On Saturday, unconfirmed reports emerged from Pakistani sources indicating that Taliban forces opened fire near Ghakhi Pass in Bajaur district along the Durand Line as Pakistani security personnel were repairing a border fence. No casualties were reported.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Increased Arrests of Women in Herat – Taliban MoPVPV forces have intensified enforcement of strict dress codes in Herat, targeting women and girls for wearing manto (a long jacket), a garment widely worn in the city. Over the past week, officers have established checkpoints in high-traffic areas, including Pul-e-Rangina, Cinema Square, and 29 Hamal Circle, stopping vehicles and removing women deemed improperly dressed. Witnesses report verbal abuse, physical assault, and detentions, including of a 12-year-old girl and elderly women. Several women were barred from accessing healthcare facilities, while some drivers were assaulted for transporting women wearing manto. Taliban agents are also reportedly blocking access to government services for women not wearing a burqa. Checkpoints have expanded into side streets, accompanied by increased MoPVPV patrols.
Raids on Women Owned Businesses – On Monday, Taliban officials raided a clandestine women’s beauty salon in Kabul, seizing equipment and threatening to confiscate the family’s home if operations resumed. The salon, run by three sisters, was the household’s sole source of income. Also on Monday, MoPVPV forces raided a women-owned taekwondo studio and arrested the owner for training girls.
Floggings – On Wednesday, three men and one woman were flogged in Ghazni, and five men were flogged in Paktika. On Thursday, seven people were flogged in Herat, four in Kunduz, and one in Kunar.
MoPVPV Disrupts Graduation for Western Dress – On Friday, MoPVPV police in Herat disrupted a medical school graduation ceremony, forcing students to remove caps and neckties in front of approximately 2,000 attendees.
Internal Politics
Taliban Reject BBC Article Claiming Internal Division – On Thursday, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid rejected a BBC report (see Spotlight Analysis) alleging internal divisions within the Taliban leadership, calling the claims “untrue.” Mujahid said all decisions within the Islamic Emirate are made under Islamic law, leaving no space for discord. He added that references by leaders to unity or minor differences of opinion should not be misinterpreted as conflict, reaffirming the Taliban’s stance on internal cohesion.
Taliban Stop Salaries for Female Ministry of Finance Employees – On Saturday, the Taliban’s Ministry of Finance stopped the 5,000-afghani monthly payments to female employees who had previously been sent home under restrictions. Around 200 women, many of them family breadwinners, are affected in a single department. Officials say the Taliban plan to formally remove women from staffing lists and replace them with male relatives.
Mullah Hibatuillah Shuffles Officials – On Saturday, Mullah Hibatullah appointed new officials, including provincial police chiefs for Badakhshan and Sar-e-Pul, a deputy governor for Takhar, and new military and education officials in other provinces. The changes, announced on January 16, continue a pattern of regular reshuffling by Akhundzada since the Taliban’s return to power. He has also recently dismissed and reassigned several ministers and heads of independent agencies.
International Developments
IOM Report on Afghan Deportations from Pakistan – On Saturday, UNHCR and IOM released a flash briefing stating that between 15 September 2023 and 10 January 2026, 1,957,694 Afghan nationals returned from Pakistan, driven by Pakistan’s enforcement of the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan. Between 4–10 January 2026, 19,666 returns were recorded (a 38 percent increase from the previous week) including 1,718 deportations. PoR card holders accounted for 61 percent of total returns, while undocumented Afghans made up 84 percent of deportations. During the same week, 1,726 Afghans were arrested, 87 percent of whom were ACC holders or undocumented migrants, with arrests highest in Balochistan (73 percent). Since 1 April 2025, 1.1 million returns have occurred, with fear of arrest and border restrictions cited as the main push factors. The full report can be accessed Here
Putin Accepts Credentials of Taliban Ambassador – On Thursday, the Kremlin announced that President Vladimir Putin received credentials from newly appointed ambassadors in Moscow. Among them was Mawlawi Gul Hassan Hassan, the ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to Russia. During the official ceremony, Ambassador Hassan formally presented his credentials to President Putin.
Andisha’s Statement on Taliban to UN – On Tuesday, Afghanistan’s UN ambassador in Geneva, Nasir Ahmad Andisha, warned that Taliban policies are accelerating the erosion of Afghanistan’s cultural identity. Describing the group as “destroyers of culture,” he said the country faces not only political and humanitarian crises but also a deep identity crisis. He criticized the Taliban’s suppression of cultural diversity and traditions, arguing that their ideology threatens national cohesion, and called for broad resistance to preserve Afghanistan’s cultural and national identity.
OIC Discusses Afghanistan – On Saturday, a technical meeting of the ministerial contact group of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Afghanistan was held in Jeddah hosted by Saudi Arabia. Qatar called for a collective, balanced, and responsible approach toward Afghanistan, citing urgent humanitarian needs. Discussions focused on coordinating engagement with the Taliban amid political and humanitarian challenges, as Afghanistan’s participation in OIC meetings remains suspended.
Muttaqi Meets with Head of UNAMA – On Tuesday, Taliban Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Georgette Gagnon, acting head of UNAMA, to discuss the upcoming visit of UN Deputy Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and progress on the Doha process. Muttaqi cited advances by the Islamic Emirate in working groups on counter-narcotics and private sector support, while criticizing other parties for a lack of progress on alternative livelihoods and banking issues. Gagnon requested cooperation for DiCarlo’s visit, scheduled for later this month.
NGO Meeting on Afghanistan held in Qatar – On Thursday, the Qatar Red Crescent Society and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation jointly hosted a workshop in Doha titled “Afghanistan Humanitarian Partners.” The event focused on polio eradication efforts and the broader humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. Attended by international organizations, donors, and UN agencies, the workshop reviewed reporting updates and plans to expand access in 2026. Organizers highlighted long-term health initiatives aligned with UN goals and emphasized continued humanitarian engagement in crisis-affected areas.
Taliban Delegation travels to Bangladesh – On Sunday, A delegation from Afghanistan’s Taliban-run commerce ministry traveled to Bangladesh on Sunday amid prolonged trade route closures with Pakistan that have disrupted supplies and raised domestic prices. Led by acting deputy minister Ahmadullah Zahid, the visit aimed to discuss bilateral trade, expand commerce, and explore investment opportunities. Bangladesh has not commented publicly.
Freedom of the Press
Five Journalists Arrested in Badakshan – On Wednesday, Taliban morality police arrested and imprisoned five journalists from the group’s National Radio and Television in Badakhshan for trimming their beards. Among those detained was the head of broadcasting for the outlet in the province.
New Afghan News Agency Launched in Istanbul – On Monday, Baztab-e-No, a new independent Afghan news agency, was launched in exile by journalists in Istanbul to counter Taliban media restrictions. Founded by Tamim Atayi, the outlet will focus on human rights, women’s issues, migration, and media freedom, aiming to provide independent reporting amid growing repression in Afghanistan.
Regional Developments
Pakistani Students Allowed to Return – On Monday, around 30 students from Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, who had been stranded in Afghanistan due to border closures, were allowed to cross back into Pakistan via the Torkham crossing. The move followed coordination between Afghan and Pakistani authorities. A Taliban official confirmed the students were permitted to return, describing the decision as a one-time exemption rather than a reopening of border trade.
Goods Stuck in Pakistan Allowed to Return to Afghanistan – On Tuesday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce announced that Afghan transit goods stranded at Karachi, Gwadar, and border points may now be re-exported through any Pakistani port, following a special exemption granted by the Federal Board of Revenue. The measure aims to ease delays caused by a three-month border closure imposed after October’s deadly clashes with Taliban forces. The shutdown severely disrupted trade, with Pakistani traders reporting daily losses exceeding $4 million. Afghan authorities have not yet issued an official response.
Taliban Charge d’Affairs Meets with Joint Secretary in Delhi – On Monday, Taliban Chargé d’Affaires Noor Ahmad Noor met in New Delhi with Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary for Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran at India’s Ministry of External Affairs. According to the Taliban-run Afghan embassy, the two discussed bilateral political and economic relations, trade expansion, visa facilitation, and challenges faced by Afghan citizens in India
US Visa Processing Information/US Legal Information (Current as of 1/18/26)
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.
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. It will remain in effect for six months, after which it may be renewed or lifted.
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, continued crackdowns in Herat and possibly Kabul, are likely, as Taliban authorities are expected to intensify enforcement measures in the coming days. The Taliban appear to be on heightened alert due to ongoing protests in Iran, which they view as a potential source of ideological contagion. Authorities are expected to move quickly against any perceived signs of dissent, with expanded checkpoints, detentions, and public punishments considered likely. Crackdowns are most probable in Herat and Kabul, where returnees from Iran are more concentrated and may be viewed by officials as carrying protest-inspired or so-called “Western” ideas associated with the unrest in Iran.
In Iran, protests appear to have slowed, though funerals for protesters may serve as flashpoints for renewed unrest. The situation remains tense and unpredictable, and internet outages are likely to continue. Afghans in Iran are strongly advised to avoid protest areas and refrain from participating in demonstrations.
The border with Pakistan remains closed, with land crossings for Afghans blocked. Deportations of Afghans have continued and intensified in recent weeks. Detentions and deportations are expected to persist in the coming week, with operations in Islamabad and Balochistan considered highly likely. Afghans, including those holding valid visas, may face detention, extortion, or deportation. All Afghans in Pakistan are advised to ensure their visas remain valid, as Pakistan is currently not extending visas for Afghan nationals.
The United States has stopped ALL visa processing for Afghan cases. Afghan SIV and other visa interviews are likely to result in denials under section 212(f); these denials are permanent and cannot be appealed. IRAP and legal service providers nationwide are advising Afghans to consider postponing their interviews at this time to avoid a 212(f) denial.
The new travel ban, which took effect on January 1, bars all Afghans from entry into the U.S., unless they hold a valid visa issued prior to the ban. No new visas are currently being issued to Afghans. The ban will remain in effect for at least six months and may be extended. Afghans that are ready for visa medicals should keep in mind that medicals expire after 6 months, and consider postponing medicals as well as their interviews
Across the United States, continued pressure on the Afghan community is expected. ICE detentions are likely to increase nationwide. Afghans in removal proceedings or those with criminal records are most at risk, though others may also be affected. It is extremely important that all Afghans understand their rights. Individuals are encouraged to review the ICE raid section of the U.S. processing guidance and consult the know your rights guide. Afghans are encouraged to avoid any ICE related protests and are reminded to be cautious with their online presence
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Protests Continue– This week, widespread anti-government protests continued across Iran amid an intensified crackdown by security forces. Rights groups report that the confirmed death toll has exceeded 3,000, while independent estimates suggest the true number of fatalities may be significantly higher, potentially reaching into the tens of thousands. Thousands more have been injured as security forces used lethal force nationwide. Internet access remains severely restricted following a near-total shutdown imposed on January 8, limiting independent reporting. Authorities have also carried out tens of thousands of arrests, and at least one protester was sentenced to death, though the execution was reportedly postponed. By the end of the week, protest activity appeared to lose momentum under sustained repression, though tensions remain high.
Displaced International Report on Afghans in Iran – In a report released on Thursday, Displaced International warned of a deepening humanitarian crisis affecting more than four million Afghans in Iran amid economic decline, rising inflation, and mass deportations. Many refugees, including undocumented individuals, face food insecurity, loss of income, and limited access to basic services. The report cites increased discrimination, arbitrary detentions, and more than 1.5 million deportations in 2025, warning that returns to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan pose serious protection risks and potential human rights violations. The full report can be accessed Here
PAKISTAN
Statement in Border Closures – At a press briefing on Thursday, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andarabi said that while the border closure with Afghanistan has caused economic losses for traders, it may be justified if it has helped prevent terrorist attacks. He emphasized the security benefits of the closure, citing reduced risks to civilians and security forces. Andarabi added that Pakistan seeks improved relations with Afghanistan but stressed Islamabad’s demand that Afghan territory not be used for cross-border terrorism, in line with international norms.
Attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – On Monday, six police officers were killed in an IED attack targeting an armoured personnel carrier in Tank district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The explosion occurred while the vehicle was en route from Gomal police station and also killed a station house officer. In a separate incident, three officers were injured in an IED blast in Lakki Marwat. Authorities blamed TTP. Senior officials condemned the attacks, and a large-scale security operation is underway in the affected areas.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister Statement on TTP Attacks – On Monday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the federal government should present evidence proving that Afghan soil is being used for attacks in Pakistan, noting that other neighboring countries with shared borders have not made similar claims. His remarks prompted strong backlash from federal ministers, who accused him of echoing Taliban narratives and undermining Pakistan’s counterterrorism posture. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar called the statement “shameful,” while other officials insisted there is clear international evidence of cross-border militancy and warned against questioning national security issues.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Rift at top of the Taliban: BBC reveals clash of wills behind internet shutdown
BBC Afghan
It was a piece of audio obtained by the BBC that revealed what worries the Taliban’s leader most.
Not an external danger, but one from within Afghanistan, which the Taliban seized control of as the previous government collapsed and the US withdrew in 2021.
He warned of “insiders in the government” pitted against each other in the Islamic Emirate the Taliban set up to govern the country.
In the leaked clip, the supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada can be heard giving a speech saying that internal disagreements could eventually bring them all down.
“As a result of these divisions, the emirate will collapse and end,” he warned.
The speech, made to Taliban members at a madrassa in the southern city of Kandahar in January 2025, was more fuel to the fire of rumours which had been circulating for months - rumours of differences at the very top of the Taliban.
It is a split the Taliban leadership has always denied - including when asked directly by the BBC.
But the rumours prompted the BBC’s Afghan service to begin a year-long investigation into the highly secretive group - conducting more than 100 interviews with current and former members of the Taliban, as well as local sources, experts and former diplomats.
Because of the sensitivity over reporting this story, the BBC has agreed not to identify them for their safety.
Now, for the first time, we have been able to map two distinct groups at the very top of the Taliban - each presenting competing visions for Afghanistan.
One entirely loyal to Akhundzada, who, from his base in Kandahar, is driving the country towards his vision of a strict Islamic Emirate - isolated from the modern world, where religious figures loyal to him control every aspect of society.
And a second, made up of powerful Taliban members largely based in the capital Kabul, advocating for an Afghanistan which - while still following a strict interpretation of Islam - engages with the outside, builds the country’s economy, and even allows girls and women access to an education they are currently denied beyond primary school.
One insider described it as “the Kandahar house versus Kabul”.
But the question was always whether the Kabul group, made up of Taliban cabinet ministers, powerful militants and influential religious scholars commanding the support of thousands of Taliban loyalists, would ever challenge the increasingly authoritarian Akhundzada in any meaningful way, as his speech suggested.
After all, according to the Taliban, Akhundzada is the group’s absolute ruler - a man only accountable to Allah, and not someone to be challenged.
Then came a decision which would see the delicate tug of war between the most powerful men in the country escalate into a clash of wills.
In late September, Akhundzada ordered the internet and phones to be shut off, severing Afghanistan from the rest of the world.
Three days later the internet was back, with no explanation of why.
But what had happened behind the scenes was seismic, say insiders. The Kabul group had acted against Akhundzada’s order and switched the internet back on.
“The Taliban, unlike every other Afghan party or faction, is remarkable for its coherence – there have been no splits, not even much dissent,” explains an expert on Afghanistan, who has been studying the Taliban since they were established.
“Bound into the movement’s DNA is the principle of obedience to one’s superiors, and ultimately to the Amir [Akhundzada]. That’s what made the act of turning the internet back on, against his explicit orders, so unexpected, and so notable,” the expert said.
As one Taliban insider put it: this was nothing short of a rebellion.
AFGHAN NEWS
Impunity & Violence: Inside Taliban-Run Assassination Networks
Afghanistan International
Afghanistan International has obtained a collection of official documents and internal reports from Taliban authorities that reveal the direct involvement of members of the group in extrajudicial killings in several Afghan provinces.
The documents show that these killings were not isolated incidents but part of a systematic pattern of violence carried out on the orders of Taliban intelligence and security officials, using state-issued weapons and conducted during official duty.
This report examines the details of several specific cases that further illustrate the scale and nature of this deadly pattern. Afghanistan International obtained the videos and documents through sources inside Taliban institutions in Herat, Samangan and Baghlan.
Young Man Killed, Another Wounded in Taliban Gunfire in Western Afghanistan
Kabul Now
A 26-year-old man was killed and another wounded when Taliban fighters opened fire at a checkpoint in western Afghanistan’s Herat province, local sources said on Friday.
The victim was identified as Nematullah Azizi, who was shot while driving home in his private car through the fifth district of Herat city on Thursday afternoon, January 15, the sources said.
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan Stops Major Arms Smuggling Attempt from Afghanistan, Officials Say
Kabul Now
Pakistani customs authorities seized over 21,000 rounds of ammunition and other arms components in a major smuggling attempt at the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan, the country’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said on Tuesday.
Citing FBR officials, Pakistani media reported that the seizure occurred during routine cargo inspections. Authorities stopped a vehicle arriving from Afghanistan and, after a physical inspection, discovered submachine-gun bullets and rifle cartridges hidden in secret compartments.
According to the report, the confiscated items included 14,020 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 3,300 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 1,700 rounds of SMG ammunition, one SMG weapon, 20 SMG magazines, and various other arms components.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Japan Donates $240,000 to Support Healthcare Services in Afghanistan
Nazanin Mohseni
The World Health Organization (WHO) says the government of Japan has donated $240,000 to support the delivery of essential healthcare services in Afghanistan.
In a statement released on Monday, the WHO welcomed the contribution, saying the funding will strengthen critical health services and help meet urgent medical needs across the country.
Afghani to US Dollar: $1 – 66.27 AFN (As of January 18)