The Week of January 5-11
Security and Conflict
Fighting at Takhar Goldmine – On Monday, deadly clashes erupted in Chah Ab district of Takhar province between local residents and armed personnel of Taliban-affiliated mining companies operating the Samti gold mine. The violence followed protests over alleged environmental damage and unregulated mining practices. Protesters reportedly attacked the site, prompting guards to open fire. At least four people—three residents and one Talib serving as a guard—were killed, and 16 others were injured. Protesters also burned vehicles, seized company property, and briefly detained several guards. Chinese workers were evacuated to the provincial capital. Local discontent has grown since the Taliban awarded the gold mine to a Chinese firm in 2024, with residents accusing the companies of resource looting and damage to farmland and water supplies. The Taliban Ministry of Mines said it has dispatched a delegation to investigate. Several individuals suspected of involvement in the protests were detained on Wednesday, with additional arrests continuing through the weekend.
Uzbek Commander Killed in Jawzjan – On Wednesday, former Junbish (Dostum’s party) commander Yousuf Qomandan was reportedly executed by Taliban forces in Khwaja Du Koh district of Jawzjan province. He was allegedly dragged from a family wedding and shot in the head. Yousuf had recently been deported from Iran, imprisoned by the Taliban, and released ten days earlier after securing bail through local mediation.
Clash At Taliban Checkpoint – On Monday evening, an armed clash broke out at a Taliban checkpoint in the Nimrah Sayyaf area of Kunduz province, near the Kabul Port zone. Gunfire reportedly lasted for approximately ten minutes. No group has claimed the attack.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Former ANSF Arrested – On Monday in Kapisa province, the Taliban arrested Abdul-Zahar Entezar, a former soldier. The arrest was reportedly carried out by Amanullah, a member of the Taliban’s criminal investigation unit in Mahmood Raqi, who is also linked to previous targeted operations against former military personnel.
Taliban Exhume and Shoot NRF Commander – On Monday, Taliban forces reportedly exhumed and shot the body of Zafar, a NRF commander, in Nahrin district of Baghlan province, days after he died in a mountain fall following clashes. The NRF confirmed the incident, calling it a cowardly and inhumane act that exposes Taliban brutality.
Floggings – On Monday, the Taliban flogged 12 people in Parwan, one man and one woman in Balkh, and one man and one woman in Kunar. On Wednesday, three people were flogged in Paktika. On Thursday, three people were flogged in Maidan Wardak. Also on Thursday, 10 people were flogged across Badakhshan, Herat, and Paktia. On Saturday, 2 people were flogged in Balkh. On Sunday, one person was flogged in Kabul.
Internal Politics
Decree on Detention of Individuals – Last week, Mullah Hibatullah extended the detention period for suspects from 72 hours to 10 days and barred their release without a court ruling. The decree restricts arrest authority to Taliban security and intelligence agencies and formally cancels the former penal code. While the order prohibits torture during detention, courts retain the authority to impose corporal punishment. Critics, including a former prosecutor, warn the decree increases the risk of arbitrary detention and forced confessions.
Ministry of Defense Recruiting Previously Dismissed Soldiers – On Saturday, the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense announced it is re-enlisting previously dismissed fighters following a special directive from Acting Defense Minister Mullah Yaqoob. Eligible individuals, approved in a second review by the Taliban’s Security and Clearance Commission, are urged to register at military recruitment centers. Many of those reinstated are expected to be deployed in public protection roles, particularly in northern provinces. The move comes amid growing insecurity and concerns that disaffected fighters could be recruited by ISIS. Details on numbers and assignments remain undisclosed.
Decree Banning Public Criticism of Taliban Officials – On Monday, Mullah Hibatullah issued a decree banning what he described as unfounded accusations and public criticism of Taliban officials by citizens and media, warning that violations would be punished under Islamic law. The order also prohibits insults or disruptions during court proceedings and mandates punishment or compensation for anyone who damages the clothing or dignity of officials. The decree applies to all individuals, including Taliban members and media organizations.
Decree Banning Sale of State Land – On Tuesday, Mullah Hibatullah issued a decree prohibiting the sale, distribution, or transfer of state-owned land without his direct approval. The order bars ministries, departments, and municipalities from allocating land to individuals or entities or transferring land among themselves without authorization.
Decree Banning Cultivation Of Cannabis – On Tuesday, Mullah Hibatullah banned the nationwide cultivation of cannabis, ordering the destruction of illegal crops and the arrest of violators.
Decree Banning Taliban Officials from Bidding on Public Contracts – On Tuesday, Mullah Hibatullah issued a decree barring Taliban officials and public employees from directly or indirectly participating in bidding for mining and public contracts. The order also prohibits private firms linked to such individuals from tendering. Aimed at promoting transparency in procurement and public asset contracts, the decree builds on a similar directive issued in March 2023 to prevent conflicts of interest within Taliban-run institutions.
Ministry of Mines Statement on Illegal Mining – On Thursday, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum declared unlicensed mining a criminal offense under a new directive issued by the Taliban government. Companies have six months to register previously extracted minerals, after which transport and export will be permitted upon payment of elevated royalty rates. The ministry warned that failure to register within the deadline would result in a permanent ban on the registration and movement of those materials, with violators facing legal consequences.
Decree Removing Remaining Republic Officials from Taliban Government – On Thursday, Mullah Hibatullah issued a directive ordering the removal of all remaining employees from the former Afghan government, labeling them “faithless” and calling for their replacement with “pious and trustworthy” individuals. The order mandates strict implementation and warns of consequences for noncompliance.
Ministry of Hajj Increases Salaries – On Wednesday, the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs announced salary increases for official mosque preachers, imams, and district-level employees. Imams’ salaries rose by 3,000 Afghanis, from 9,000–9,500 Afghanis, while district staff received a 4,000 Afghani increase from approximately 7,000. Last year, many other ministries experienced staff reductions and salary cuts.
Pakistani Medicine Destroyed – On Tuesday, the Taliban’s Ministry of Finance reported the destruction of 2,350 cartons of smuggled and substandard Pakistani medicines in Kandahar’s Spin Boldak district, following a court order and a broader government decree. Amid strained relations with Pakistan, the Taliban have suspended medicine imports from the country and ordered the cancellation of Pakistani drug registrations.
Ministry Appointments – On Thursday, Mullah Hibatullah announced several senior appointments and a reshuffling of officials. Mullah Abdul Latif Mansoor was appointed Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, while Mullah Mohammad Yunus Akhundzada became Minister of Water and Energy. Additional changes were announced at Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat, the Ministry of Public Works, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
International Developments
Sweden Donates Aid To Afghanistan – On Sunday, On Sunday, the UN’s Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan announced Sweden’s contribution of 60 million Swedish crowns ($6.4 million). The aid aims to support essential services enhancing economic and climate resilience for displaced communities in Afghanistan.
Taliban Acting Minister Travels to Oman – On Sunday, the Taliban Acting Minister of Higher Education Minister Neda Mohammad Nadeem visited Oman on Sunday to discuss academic cooperation and visit universities, according to the ministry. The trip reflects growing Taliban-Oman engagement, with recent high-level visits and signed agreements.
Meeting with Saudi Officials on Hajj – On Thursday, Mohammad Nabi Mohammadi, Afghanistan’s Director General for Hajj and Umrah, met with Saudi Deputy Minister Abdul Fattah Mashat to discuss expanding Hajj and Umrah opportunities for Afghan pilgrims. Saudi officials pledged to increase Umrah visa allocations and expressed readiness for continued cooperation to improve facilities and services for Afghan pilgrims.
Freedom of the Press
Living Images Banned In Uruzgan – On Thursday, the Taliban formally banned media outlets in Uruzgan province from publishing images of living beings, citing religious grounds. The directive has effectively turned the state-run National Television outlet in the province into a radio station and has severely restricted local media operations. Uruzgan is now the 24th province subject to this ban, which was first introduced in July 2024.
Female Journalist Detained – On Tuesday, Nazira Rashidi, a female journalist in Kunduz, was detained by Taliban intelligence forces while leaving her home. The Taliban have not yet yet commented.
Regional Developments
Taliban Charge D’Affairs Arrives in India – On Saturday, Indian media reported that Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, a senior official in the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, arrived in New Delhi to assume duties as chargé d’affaires at Afghanistan’s embassy. Noor previously headed the ministry’s First Political Division. A previously appointed Taliban chargé d’affaires was unable to take up the post in 2023 after being blocked from entering the embassy by staff linked to the former Afghan government.
China-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue Statement – On Monday, Beijing and Islamabad issued a joint statement urging “visible and verifiable” efforts to dismantle terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan. Citing threats to regional and global security, they called for preventing Afghan territory from being used for cross-border attacks. The two sides pledged coordination on Afghanistan-related issues, expressed support for inclusive governance by the Taliban, and reaffirmed engagement through trilateral and regional mechanisms to promote Afghanistan’s stability and integration.
Iranian Deputy Minister of Labor In Kabul – On Monday, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Labor, Seyyed Malek Hosseini, arrived in Kabul with a delegation to discuss labor cooperation with the Taliban. A preliminary agreement was reportedly reached to send up to 200,000 Afghan workers to Iran annually. Talks also covered expanding technical training programs and facilitating legal work permits for Afghan migrants. Both sides agreed to establish a joint committee to coordinate on labor, vocational training, and migration issues amid Iran’s growing labor shortages.
Iran seeks Water Negotiations with the Taliban – On Tuesday, Iran’s Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi said Tehran is pursuing negotiations with Afghanistan to secure its legal share of water from the Harirud River. He cited concerns that upstream dams, including the Salma Dam, have reduced water flows to downstream reservoirs such as the Doosti Dam, which Iran shares with Turkmenistan. Iran has extended multiple invitations to Taliban officials for talks and plans further diplomatic engagement, with presidential backing, amid ongoing drought and regional water tensions.
Pakistan Rhetoric on Terrorism – On Tuesday, Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, accused Afghanistan of harboring terrorist networks, claiming the Taliban provide bases and support to groups targeting Pakistan. He attributed the increase in attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to cross-border threats and a political–terror nexus. In response, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected the allegations as provocative and baseless, asserting that Afghanistan remains stable and committed to preventing its territory from being used for attacks against other countries.
US Visa Processing Information/US Legal Information (Updated 1/11/26)
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.
SIV Applications Closed – As of December 31 2025 new applications for SIV are closed. When processing resumes, cases that receive COM denial will still be able to appeal the decision.
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, the Taliban are likely to be on high alert due to ongoing protests in Iran. While the Taliban and Iran have historically had a contentious relationship, popular protests against an Islamic theocracy are likely to be of particular concern to the Taliban, especially in light of last week’s protests in Takhar and the rising cost of housing and basic goods across Afghanistan. The Taliban are expected to crack down harshly on any signs of dissent in the coming week, with public punishments considered likely.
In Iran, protests are expected to continue over the next week. Internet and power outages are likely, and violence against protesters should be anticipated. Afghans in Iran are strongly advised to avoid protest areas and not to participate in demonstrations.
The border with Pakistan remains closed, with land crossings for Afghans blocked. Deportations of Afghans continue, with reports of raids and house-to-house checks in Islamabad. Detentions and deportations are expected to continue over the coming week. Afghans, including those with valid visas, may be detained, extorted, and/or deported. All Afghans in Pakistan should ensure their visas remain valid; Pakistan is currently not extending visas for Afghan nationals.
The United States has stopped visa processing for all Afghan cases. Afghan SIV and other visa interviews are likely to result in denials under section 212(f); it remains unclear whether such denials permanently close a case. IRAP is advising Afghans to consider postponing their interviews at this time.
The new travel ban, which took effect on January 1, bars all Afghans from entry 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.
Significant changes have occurred across multiple immigration categories, including for many individuals already in the United States. It is critical that people understand how these developments may affect their cases. Those with questions are strongly encouraged to consult an immigration attorney.
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 IRAP guide.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Ongoing Protests in Iran – Ongoing nationwide protests in Iran, sparked on 28 December 2025 by economic hardship and currency collapse, have grown into the most significant anti‑government unrest in years. Demonstrations have spread across major cities like Tehran, Mashhad, Yazd, and more, with thousands defying a nationwide internet and phone blackout imposed by authorities to curb communication and coverage. Protesters are now voicing not only economic grievances but also broader demands for political change, chanting anti‑regime slogans and even showing support for exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. Security forces have responded with a harsh crackdown, using live ammunition and mass arrests; human rights groups and rights monitors report dozens to potentially hundreds of deaths and many injuries, though exact figures vary. Iran’s Supreme Leader has threatened intensified repression, labeling demonstrators as enemies, while international concern and statements of solidarity for protestors continue to grow.
PAKISTAN
Two Tons of Explosives Seized in Karachi – On Monday, Pakistani counterterrorism police conducted raids in Karachi, arresting three suspects and seizing approximately two tons of explosives allegedly linked to the BLA. Officials said the materials had been transported from Balochistan and were intended for planned attacks in the city. One vehicle was reportedly prepared for deployment.
Raids in Faisal Town Islamabad – On Saturday night, police in civilian clothes reportedly raided refugee homes in Faisal Town, Islamabad, using private vehicles and arresting several individuals. Sources say police have been forcibly entering homes, causing fear among families, especially children. Allegations of ongoing arrests, extortion, and harassment have created deep distress among the refugee community, who say they are exhausted by the continued mistreatment.SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Institute for the Study of War
The Iranian regime has sustained its nationwide internet shutdown, likely to disrupt protest coordination and obscure the scale of its crackdown. Reports indicate that Iran’s internet connectivity has remained at approximately one percent of normal levels since 3:00 PM ET on January 8. The Iranian regime has historically imposed internet blackouts during periods of major unrest, including during the 2019 protests, when the regime killed around 1,500 protesters in less than two weeks. The internet shutdown reflects the regime’s concerns about the momentum of the protests and international scrutiny on its repression. The regime likely shut down the internet to disrupt protesters’ ability to communicate with one another and organize protests. The regime has also expanded its use of lethal force to crack down on protests beyond western and central Iran, and the internet shutdown is likely meant to hide the extent and brutality of the regime’s crackdown across Iran. A Norway-based Iranian human rights organization reported on January 9 that Iranian security forces have killed at least 51 protesters, including nine minors, and wounded hundreds of others since December 28. Anti-regime media reported on January 9 that Iranian security forces killed at least 10 protesters during demonstrations in Fardis, Alborz Province.
Widespread protest activity has continued to take place across Iran amid the internet shutdown.CTP-ISW has recorded 116 protests across 22 provinces since 3:30 PM ET on January 8. Twenty of these protests were large protests, which CTP-ISW defines as protests with more than 1,000 participants. CTP-ISW’s protest data since its last data cutoff likely reflects only part of the protest activity that has taken place in Iran since that time given that the internet shutdown restricts protesters’ ability to publish and share videos of the protests. Some protesters have reportedly used Starlink, which is a satellite-based internet service, to send reports of protests to foreign media.
The protests in Iran may have expanded to such an extent that they are challenging Iranian security forces’ ability to suppress them. Regime security forces in Eslamabad-e Gharb, Kermanshah Province, retreated during intense clashes with protesters and were unable to receive reinforcements due to a shortage of security forces, according to a Kurdish human rights organization. This report suggests that some Iranian security forces may be facing bandwidth constraints. CTP-ISW has not observed reports of security forces redeploying to other provinces, which could indicate that there is not a surplus of forces to reinforce areas with significant protest activity. The current scale of the protests and their distribution across wide swaths of Iran further complicate the regime’s efforts to contain the protests. The New York Times reported on January 8 that security forces fled a protest in Bushehr City in southern Iran due to the large size of the protest, which highlights the challenge that large-scale protests pose to the regime’s ability to impose control.
What to watch as anti-regime protests engulf Iran
Nate Swanson
The Iranian regime appears to be at its weakest point in its nearly half century in power. For the past two weeks, Iranians throughout the country have taken to the streets in protest over Iran’s deepening economic crises, stirring up memories of the Mahsa Amini protests of 2022-2023 and the Green Movement demonstrations of 2009-2010. This is compounded by a record level of inflation, a potentially existential water crisis, and an open admission from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that his government is incapable of meeting the needs of its own people. Moreover, these protests follow a series of strategic setbacks for the regime, including Israel’s near destruction of Iran’s foreign proxies, the Assad regime’s fall in Syria in December 2024, and the devastation of the twelve-day war in June 2025.
Yet, this confluence of factors has been partially overshadowed by US President Donald Trump and his increasingly interventionist administration. Trump’s social media post on January 2 offering lethal protection to Iranian protesters if the regime cracked down on them was shocking even before this week’s events in Venezuela. Although I initially saw Trump’s post as a rhetorical and cost-free gesture, it cannot be dismissed entirely considering that the Trump administration was willing to attack Venezuela and arrest former Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro earlier this month. Indeed, Trump’s threat could increase turnout at the protests. In theory, hesitant Iranians might be more likely to protest if they might have some form of US support.
As the protests continue, it is worth following several important indicators that may determine how they differ from past mass movements in Iran, what trajectory they may take, and what they might mean for the Islamic Republic’s future.
Mass protests are, of course, not new in Iran. They have played a critical role in shaping Iran’s modern political landscape, helping to bring the current regime to power in 1979 and consolidate its rule. In the 1990s, protests evolved to challenge the regime’s governance. The 1999 student protests and the 2009 Green Movement primarily focused on regime reform, with the latter adopting the slogan “Where is my vote?” Since the December 2019 Bloody Aban uprising, which began following an increase in fuel prices, there has been a significant shift in the tone and objective of protests. Initially sparked by social or economic issues, mass protests in Iran have morphed into broader and prolonged anti-regime demonstrations, with protesters increasingly chanting “Death to Khamenei!”
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghan National Killed by Iranian Border Guards
Nazanin Mohseni
An Afghan national has been killed by Iranian border guards, local sources in Kapisa province say.
According to the sources, the victim was a resident of Tagab district in Kapisa who was attempting to enter Iran irregularly for work. He was reportedly shot dead by Iranian border forces in a border area of Nimroz province.
REGIONAL NEWS
At least 36 people killed during Iran protests, rights group says
David Gritten
At least 36 people have been killed during the last 10 days of protests across Iran, a human rights group has said.
The foreign-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that 34 of those confirmed killed were protesters and two were affiliated with security forces.
Iranian authorities have not published an official death toll but said three security personnel have been killed. BBC Persian has so far confirmed the deaths and identities of 20 people.
Afghanistan-Pakistan Trade Drops 40% Amid Prolonged Border Closure
Kabul Now
Bilateral trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan dropped 40% in 2025, declining from $2.461 billion in 2024 to $1.766 billion, Taliban authorities say, as trade remains halted following deadly clashes in October.
Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the Taliban Ministry of Industry and Commerce, said in a video message on Saturday that Afghanistan’s exports to Pakistan dropped from $817 million in 2024 to $505 million in 2025.
Afghani to US Dollar: $1 – 65.98 AFN (As of January 11)