The Week of January 20-26
Security and Conflict
Chinese Citizen Killed in Takhar – On Tuesday, a Chinese national working at a gold mine in Takhar was killed by armed robbers while returning to Taloqan. The attack occurred in the Katakjar area of Khwaja Bahuddin district. The robbers stole $20,000 in cash and fled. No arrests have been made, and Taliban officials in Takhar have not commented on the incident. ISKP has claimed responsibility for the attack. On Thursday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the killing and urged the Taliban to take action against ISKP.
Alleged ISKP Members Arrested – On Thursday, the Taliban arrested six alleged ISKP affiliates in Sar-e-Pul province during a targeted operation. The suspects were reportedly involved in recent attacks and had used surveillance drones for mapping. No names have been disclosed.
Ministry of Vice and Virtue Official Murdered – On Tuesday, the body of Mawlawi Rafiullah, an official of the Taliban's Ministry of Vice and Virtue for Dara-e-Noor district in Nangarhar, was found in Jangal Bagh, Parwan. The body showed signs of torture. Originally from Laghman, Rafiullah went missing from Jalalabad a week earlier. Taliban members confirmed his identity, but no group has claimed responsibility for the killing.
TTP Fighters Moved to Takhar – Sources in Takhar province report that the Taliban recently relocated 50 families of TTP fighters from Khost to Takhar following Pakistani airstrikes. The families, including women and children, now live discreetly in the Pashtun village of Laeqa in Dasht-e-Qala. This follows an agreement between Sirajuddin Haqqani and local residents. Previously, 300 TTP fighters were relocated to Takhar in June 2023.
Clash Over Aid Distribution in Baghlan – On Tuesday, a clash between the "Bay" and "Taimani" tribes in Badghis’ Tagab Alam district over the distribution of food aid left at least 15 injured. The aid was provided by a relief organization. Similar disputes over humanitarian aid have caused conflicts in other provinces. The Taliban in Badghis have yet to comment on the incident.
Explosion in Takhar – On Saturday, a magnetic bomb exploded near the Governor's office in Taloqan, Takhar province. Local sources report that Zia was killed while planting the bomb on a Ranger vehicle, which was partially damaged. The motive and group affiliations behind the incident remain unknown. The Ministry of Interior confirmed no other casualties.
Talib Hanged in Nangarhar– On Tuesday, a Taliban fighter named Safatullah was hanged by unknown individuals in Nangarhar’s Khogyani district, sources confirmed. The incident occurred at his home, and no clear motive or perpetrators have been identified. Local Taliban officials have not commented. Two weeks ago, another Taliban fighter's body was found in the same district.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Three Former MOI killed – This week, the Taliban allegedly killed three former Interior Ministry personnel in Parwan. The victims—Noor Rahman, Sayed Akbar, and Abdul Hakim—were reportedly arrested and brutally killed. Their bodies were later found in Kabul's Qarabagh district. The Taliban have not commented.
Dr. Abdullah’s Former Advisor Arrested – On Tuesday, Taliban intelligence arrested Ghulam Dastagir Siddiqui, a former advisor to Abdullah Abdullah, along with his son in Kapisa’s Hisa-e-Dowom Kohistan district. The reasons for their arrest remain unknown. Siddiqui was a key political ally of Abdullah. Recently, the Taliban also detained Abdullah’s former bodyguard and his brother in Panjshir.
Arrests in Ghor – Since January 1, Taliban intelligence has arrested dozens of individuals in Ghor province on accusations of Hizb ut-Tahrir membership. The detainees include youth, teachers, professors, and imams, who have been taken to unknown locations. These arrests follow a Taliban declaration labeling Hizb ut-Tahrir as "Khawarij," legitimizing their persecution.
Floggings – On Thursday, two individuals were flogged in Paktika and ten in Khost province on allegations of various crimes.
Internal Politics
Taliban Indoctrination of Orphans – The Taliban are reportedly using orphanages across Afghanistan for ideological indoctrination and potential recruitment, mirroring practices from the 1990s. Critics highlight the use of Islamic education and strict uniforms to instill extremist ideologies. Orphaned children, including those of former Afghan soldiers, are allegedly targeted to bolster Taliban ranks. Turkey and Islamic donors fund many of these centers, raising concerns about political exploitation.
International Developments
Applications for Arrest of Mullah Hibatullah Introduced to ICC – On Thursday, the ICC Prosecutor’s Office announced it had filed two arrest warrant applications against Taliban Supreme Leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani for crimes against humanity, including gender persecution under the Rome Statute. The investigation, ongoing since October 2022, highlights systemic persecution of Afghan women, girls, and LGBTQI+ individuals. The Taliban’s actions include severe human rights violations such as repression, torture, and murder. The ICC has emphasized accountability and called for global cooperation to enforce judicial orders and uphold victims' rights in Afghanistan. The full statement can be read here. The Taliban dismissed the case as politically motivated and coerced civilians in Bamiyan and Ghazni—primarily Hazaras—to protest the ICC proceedings.
US Pauses On Some Immigrant and Refugee Cases – As part of several executive orders issued this week by the Trump administration, refugee processing through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), including P1 and P2 cases, have been paused and review will be conducted after 90 days. While SIV cases will continue processing, flights have been defunded, and travel and resettlement under SIV programs have been paused. Efforts are underway to advocate with the Trump administration, Dept of State and Congress to request exemptions for Afghan immigration pathways. This is a developing story, and the impact of the executive orders on each case type is being closely monitored.
US to Pause Some Foreign Aid – On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled "Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid," initiating a 90-day suspension of U.S. foreign development assistance to assess its alignment with American foreign policy. This decision has raised concerns about its potential impact on Afghanistan, where over 23 million people—more than half the population—rely on humanitarian aid. Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, warned that the pause could have "disastrous" effects, particularly for women and children. It remains unclear how this suspension will affect Afghanistan's humanitarian situation, given the Taliban's receipt of substantial aid.
Two Americans Released by the Taliban – On Tuesday, the Taliban released Ryan Corbett and William Wallace McKenty in a prisoner swap for Khan Mohammed, a Taliban member convicted of narco-terrorism and imprisoned in the U.S. for 15 years, including time at Guantanamo Bay. The exchange, finalized after two years of negotiations, occurred shortly before President Biden left office. Corbett, detained during a business trip in Afghanistan, expressed gratitude to both administrations and Qatar for their mediation. Details about McKenty remain private at his family's request. Mohammed, arrested in 2006 in Nangarhar, was later convicted in the U.S. for terrorism and drug trafficking.
US Secretary Of State Statement on Taliban Holding US Citizens – In a statement on X, Marco Rubio warned of imposing bounties on Taliban leaders, alleging that the group may hold more American hostages than reported. Echoing President Trump’s rhetoric, Rubio’s statement followed the recent U.S.-Taliban prisoner swap. He hinted at significant bounties, referencing past actions against Osama bin Laden, but did not provide specific details about potential hostages or their statuses.
Swedish Committee Fully Closes Afghanistan Offices – The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan has ceased operations in the country after its offices were closed by the Taliban last year. The organization will now operate abroad under the name "Solidarity Committee for Afghanistan."
Freedom of the Press
Journalists in Exile Organization Formed – Afghan journalists in exile have launched Tawazon Media, focusing 70% of its efforts on human rights issues in Afghanistan. Operating digitally via social media and YouTube, the independent, volunteer-run outlet will publish in Pashto, Dari, and English. Managed by experienced journalists, Tawazon collaborates with reporters in 20 provinces to highlight underreported humanitarian issues in the country.
Regional Developments
Iranian Foreign Minister visits Kabul – On Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, visited Kabul, marking the highest-level Iranian visit since the Taliban's 2021 takeover. The one-day trip aimed to strengthen ties and address mutual interests. Araghchi met with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar to discuss border security, political relations, and economic cooperation, highlighting Iran’s ongoing engagement with Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
Russian Ambassador Meets with Ministry of Labor – On Thursday, Abdul Manan Omari, the Taliban’s Labor Minister, proposed forming a team to facilitate Afghan workers’ employment in Russia and sought market access for Afghan agricultural products. During a meeting with Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov, Omari emphasized mutual respect and the need to expand economic ties. Zhirnov highlighted trade progress and reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to strengthening economic relations with Afghanistan. Omari reiterated his June proposal to enhance Afghan labor opportunities in Russia.
Taliban Request Türkiye to Issue Medical Visas for Afghans – The Taliban's Public Health Ministry has requested Türkiye to resume issuing visas for Afghan patients. Minister Noor Jalal Jalali discussed healthcare collaboration and medicine imports with Turkish Ambassador Cenk Ünal, who pledged continued support. Türkiye had ceased issuing visas following the previous government's collapse. Afghanistan's health sector now heavily relies on international aid and the World Health Organization.
Pakistan Report on Prisoners Released back to Afghanistan – Over 4,000 Afghan prisoners, including women and children, have been released from Sindh province prisons in Pakistan over the past two years, according to information shared Thursday by Sayed Abdul Jabbar Takhari, the Islamic Emirate’s Consul General in Karachi. The freed prisoners were repatriated to Afghanistan using funds provided by the Islamic Emirate.
Miscellaneous
Heavy Snowfall in Central Afghanistan – On Monday, the Taliban's Ministry of Public Works reported the closure of several highways in Ghor, Ghazni, Bamyan, Daikundi, and Faryab provinces due to heavy snowfall. Affected routes include the Kabul-Ghor highway, the Nawur district road in Ghazni, and key mountain passes in Bamyan. Roads in Daikundi and Faryab provinces are also blocked, causing significant disruptions to connectivity. Meanwhile, the Salang Highway has reopened but is currently restricted to small vehicles only.
NEXT WEEK
The full impact of recent US executive orders on foreign aid and visa issuance for Afghanistan remains uncertain. Over the coming weeks, more clarity is expected regarding the US approach to humanitarian aid for Afghanistan and the management of specific cases, including SIV (Special Immigrant Visa) applications. For now, individuals in Afghanistan are urged to remain calm.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban is likely to strengthen ties with regional powers to mitigate the effects of the pause in US aid. The abrupt cessation of foreign aid is expected to exacerbate the country’s already struggling economy, with potential issues such as currency devaluation and rising food prices posing significant challenges in the weeks ahead.
Afghans residing in Pakistan are reminded to avoid crowds and protests, including demonstrations against the new US policies. Participation in protests increases the risk of detention and deportation. It is advised to exercise caution in movements and activities during this period.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Arrests in Zabol – Iran's police commander in Zabol reported the arrest of 289 undocumented Afghan refugees last week as part of a "social security enhancement plan." While the detainees' identities remain undisclosed, deportations of Afghan refugees from Iran have intensified in recent months.
Afghans Executed – Iran executed Mohammad Sardar, an Afghan from Farah’s Khak-e-Safid district, in Bandar Abbas on January 23 on drug-related charges. Arrested 18 months ago, he was sentenced to death by an Iranian court. Another Afghan citizen was executed on Sunday, though no further details were disclosed. According to the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, at least 73 Afghans were executed in Iran in 2024, marking a significant increase.
PAKISTAN
Afghans Killed Crossing to Pakistan – On Thursday, Pakistan's military, through its ISPR, reported that six armed individuals attempting to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan via Sambaza in the Zhob district of Balochistan were killed by security forces. Ammunition was allegedly seized from the individuals. No additional details are available at this time.
TTP Shadow Governor Killed – On Saturday, Qari Ismail, alias Aziz, the newly appointed shadow governor of TTP for Khyber district, along with top commander Mukhlis, was killed in a military operation.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Afghanistan - Flow Monitoring Quarterly Report 4 (October- December 2024)
IOM
The Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan have hosted Afghan migrants for decades, with roughly 3.75 million Afghan nationals residing in the former and 2.05 million residing in the latter. While cross-border movement has been consistently characterized by economic drivers, healthcare access, family visits, and security, 2024 also saw movements defined by policies, statements by officials, and public sentiment calling for the expulsion of Afghan nationals from both the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan. This began in late 2023, when officials in both countries called for the deportation of undocumented foreigners, followed by several efforts to renew deportation initiatives throughout 2024. These included Pakistan’s “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan (IFRP),” for which potential new phases were announced in April and later again in June, announcements by Iranian officials in September to deport two million Afghan nationals by early 2025, plans for a border wall between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Afghanistan, and initiatives to reduce the number of Afghan migrants in the Islamic Republic of Iran by ten per cent each year. In November, Afghan nationals were barred from staying in Pakistan’s capital of Islamabad unless able to obtain new permissions.
To better monitor return and deportation trends, as well as other cross-border movement, IOM DTM Afghanistan re-launched its Flow Monitoring (FM) activity at the beginning of 2024 to provide critical insights into the volume, intended destinations, reasons for movement, and intended lengths of stay of those moving across Afghanistan’s borders. This report includes data analysis on cross-border movement along Afghanistan’s borders with the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan from 1 October to 31 December 2024. During this period, DTM counted 983,055 individuals entering Afghanistan and 740,356 individuals leaving Afghanistan. DTM also interviewed 76,415 individuals regarding their reasons for movement and intentions.
Data was collected from ten different crossing points with the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan. All assessed border points fall into two categories: those connected to the National Highway, or “main” crossing points, which include Islam Qala, Milak, Spin Boldak, and Torkham, and those not connected to the National Highway, which include Abu Nasr Farahi, Bahramcha, Angor Ada, Ghulam Khan, Nazar Posta and Pathan. Analyses throughout the report will reflect the differences between these types of crossing points.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban halt currency rate-setting in Kabul amid continued afghani depreciation
Setara Qudosi
Amidst unprecedented depreciation of the afghani, money exchangers and sources in Kabul report that Taliban have halted currency rate-setting operations at Sarai Shahzada, the country’s primary foreign exchange market, over the past two days.
According to sources, Taliban forces entered Sarai Shahzada and the nearby Sarai Haidari in Mandawi market on Sunday evening, detaining more than 10 money exchangers.
The Taliban also shut down WhatsApp and Telegram groups used by exchangers to coordinate and determine currency rates, exchangers said. These groups had served as essential tools for managing exchange rates in the market.
REGIONAL NEWS
PTI TO Boycott 4th Round of Talks with Government
Irfan Sadozai
PTI has decided to boycott the fourth round of talks with the government, a day after it announced that party founder Imran Khan issued directions to call off negotiations due to a delay over the formation of judicial commissions.
The PTI and the government had been engaged in talks to bring down political temperatures. After two rounds of meetings, the third round was held seven days ago (Jan 16) in which the PTI formally presented its demands in writing.
Despite weeks of negotiations, the dialogue process has hardly moved forward on major issues — the formation of judicial commissions and the release of PTI prisoners.
1 Dead 7 Injured After Explosion Near Bus Travelling From Khuzdar To Rawalpindi
Abdullah Zehri
At least one person was killed and seven others injured on Sunday when an explosion occurred near a passenger bus travelling from Khuzdar to Rawalpindi, officials said.
“The passenger bus, travelling on the M-8 Highway from Khuzdar to Rawalpindi, was targeted near Khori, some 25 kilometres from Khuzdar City,” Khuzdar District Commissioner Yasir Iqbal Dashti told Dawn.com.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Afghan refugees feel 'betrayed' by Trump order blocking move to US
Azadeh Moshiri
"It's like the United States doesn't actually understand what I did for this country, it's a betrayal," Abdullah tells the BBC.
He fled Afghanistan with his parents amid the US withdrawal in August 2021 and is now a paratrooper for the US military. He worries he can't help his sister and her husband escape too, because of President Donald Trump's executive order suspending a resettlement programme.
The order cancels all flights and suspends applications for Afghan refugees, without any exemption for families of active servicemembers.
Trump argues the decision addresses "record levels of migration" that threaten "the availability of resources for Americans".