The Week of March 3-9
Security and Conflict
Alleged Abbey Gate Bomber Arrested – During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Donald Trump announced the arrest of Muhammad Sharifullah, also known as Jaffar, an Afghan national and senior ISIS-K commander allegedly responsible for the August 26, 2021, Kabul airport bombing. Sharifullah, who orchestrated multiple attacks before the Abbey Gate bombing, was arrested by the NDS on July 15, 2019, and imprisoned by the former republic until the Taliban freed him from Bagram Prison during their takeover on August 15, 2021. Trump praised Pakistan’s cooperation in the operation. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed Sharifullah’s arrest near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. FBI Director Kash Patel later stated that the suspect had been extradited to the U.S. for prosecution. More information on the attacker can be found here
UN Report on Security Incidents – The UN confirmed 91 anti-Taliban attacks over the past three months, primarily carried out by the National Resistance Front (53 attacks) and the Afghanistan Freedom Front (21 attacks). Targets included the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior and Bagram base. The UN reported receiving only 3.5% of the required aid for Afghanistan in 2025. Mullah Hibatullah has tightened his grip on power by appointing loyalists. Taliban forces continue to arrest, torture, and kill former security personnel. The UN recorded 42 security incidents involving its staff. Pakistan-Taliban clashes have escalated, with Pakistan conducting airstrikes in Paktika. The Torkham border remains closed following recent skirmishes, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as funding shortages hinder aid efforts. The full report can be accessed Here
Torkham Clashes – The Torkham crossing has been closed for 17 days, with multiple clashes reported this week. The conflict began over Pakistani concerns about Taliban-built checkpoints. On Monday, Pakistani and Afghan forces clashed at the border, leaving three Taliban fighters and three Pakistani border guards dead, with several others wounded. On March 5, three journalists were wounded by alleged Pakistani mortar fire while covering the ongoing clashes. Casualties have been reported on both sides, including at least one Taliban member, a truck driver, three journalists, and three injured Pakistani soldiers. On Sunday, Taliban and Pakistani officials reportedly reached a ceasefire agreement and agreed to reopen the border crossing.
Attack on Taliban Convoy – On Wednesday, sources in Laghman reported that a Taliban military convoy was ambushed on the Kabul-Jalalabad highway near Gambari in Qarghayou district. The convoy, transporting DC artillery shells to Torkham, was attacked by unidentified assailants. The assault forced the closure of the highway for several hours. No casualties or claims of responsibility have been confirmed, and attempts to contact Taliban officials were unsuccessful.
AFF Pauses For Ramadan – The Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) has announced a unilateral suspension of military operations during Ramadan unless attacked or provoked. Its intelligence networks will remain active, monitoring potential violations against civilians, particularly women and vulnerable groups. The AFF stated that it would take appropriate measures in response to any such incidents.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Report On Extrajudicial Killings – According to Hasht-e Sobh, at least 30 people have been killed in nine Afghan provinces since January 20, 2025, including 14 shot dead by the Taliban. Victims include former military personnel, civilians, and two women in Badghis province. The Taliban reportedly tortured and killed shopkeeper Qari Naasir Farkhari in Taloqan and executed Hamid Agha in Parwan. Families of victims face threats to remain silent. Arbitrary arrests, including those of journalists and YouTubers, continue. The UN reports ongoing human rights violations by the Taliban, including extrajudicial killings and torture. Political negotiations abroad often trigger intensified repression, with house-to-house searches and arrests escalating after key international meetings. The full report can be accessed here
Afghan Women Hold Protest on International Women’s Day – On Saturday, International Women’s Day, Afghan women in Pakistan protested in Islamabad, demanding gender apartheid be recognized as a crime against humanity. They condemned Taliban policies, urging global action, sanctions, and support for women-led movements. Activists worldwide echoed calls for accountability, emphasizing Afghan women’s resilience despite repression and ongoing threats.
Statements on International Women’s Day – On International Women’s Day, Afghan women’s rights activists launched a global campaign calling for the recognition of Taliban policies as gender apartheid, receiving support from UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett. Amnesty International condemned the Taliban’s systematic repression, stating that their policies have effectively erased women from public life. UNESCO and the UK mission urged action. Veronika Boskovic Pohar, Chargée d’Affaires of the EU Delegation to Afghanistan, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to education for all women and girls, emphasizing its importance for Afghanistan’s future. Roza Otunbayeva, head of UNAMA, highlighted Afghan women’s resilience, noting that despite severe restrictions, they continue to lead and support their communities.
Former ANSF Detained – On Tuesday, Taliban intelligence detained former military officer Sayed Padshah in Panjshir’s Abshar district and transferred him to Kabul. His family remains unaware of his whereabouts. Padshah, previously with the Afghan Public Protection Force, had no known ties to anti-Taliban groups. The Taliban has not commented on his arrest.
Former NDS Arrested – On Friday, the Taliban arrested former NDS officer Payenda Mohammad in Panjshir’s Dara district during a mourning ceremony. His brother, Abdul Malik, was also previously detained. The Taliban have reportedly turned Payenda Mohammad’s house into a military base. The reason for his arrest is unclear, and the Taliban have not commented.
Floggings – On Monday, one person was flogged in Sar-e Pul. Reports indicate that 180 people have been flogged across 19 provinces in the past three months.
Internal Politics
Military Reform Commissions Reinstated – On Tuesday, the Taliban’s Supreme Leader reinstated Military Reform Commissions across Afghanistan’s eight zones and border provinces to strengthen control. Mawlawi Attaullah was appointed head of the northern zone’s commission in Balkh. Originally formed in December 2023, the commissions oversee security forces, ensuring structured supervision of Mujahideen. The 90-member Balkh commission includes personnel from defense, interior, and intelligence agencies.
UNAMA Statement on Internal Politics – In its latest report, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada has consolidated his authority within the Taliban by holding key meetings in Kandahar and appointing loyalists to critical positions. These meetings, attended by senior Taliban officials, discussed the creation of new government departments, international organizations' activities, and NGO operations in Afghanistan. Notable attendees included Sirajuddin Haqqani, Abdul Ghani Baradar, and other cabinet members.
New Deputy Minister of Vice and Virtue Announced - On Saturday, Sheikh Noor Mohammad was appointed Deputy Minister of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, replacing Mawlawi Mohammad Faqir Mohammadi. Previously, he served as the ministry’s provincial director in Balkh. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announced the appointment on X, stating it was ordered by the Supreme Leader.
International Developments
US Travel Ban Likely – President Donald Trump is expected to introduce a new travel ban that could bar individuals from Afghanistan and Pakistan from entering the U.S. as early as next week, allegedly due to security and vetting concerns, according to multiple sources. The ban, reminiscent of Trump’s 2017 travel restrictions, may impact tens of thousands of Afghans awaiting resettlement under the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. Afghanistan is expected to face a full ban, with Pakistan also recommended for inclusion. The State Department is seeking an exemption for SIV holders, though approval appears unlikely.
80 Afghan Women Face Deportation From Oman After USAID Cuts – Over 80 Afghan women studying in Oman under a U.S.-funded scholarship now face deportation after the Trump administration froze foreign aid. Their USAID scholarships were abruptly terminated, leaving them in panic. Many had fled Taliban repression and are now urgently seeking international intervention for protection and resettlement. The BBC confirmed emails detailing their forced return to Afghanistan, sparking urgent pleas for assistance.
UN To Establish Regional Center for Afghanistan and Kazakhstan – On Tuesday, the UN General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution to establish the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty, an initiative led by Kazakhstan and co-sponsored by 152 UN member states. The center will coordinate regional efforts, provide technical assistance, and promote economic stability in Afghanistan. It will also enhance UN agency cooperation, facilitate best practice exchanges, and support sustainable development across the region.
Regional Developments
Afghan Embassy in Tehran Meets with Indian Ambassador – On Tuesday, the Taliban-led Afghan embassy in Tehran announced a meeting between its acting head and India's ambassador to Iran to discuss bilateral cooperation. Indian media report that New Delhi may allow a Taliban-appointed embassy chief without granting diplomatic status. Meanwhile, negotiations continue over the Afghan embassy in New Delhi, which remains under the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The discussions also covered trade via Chabahar Port. India remains cautious in its engagement with the Taliban.
Iran To Work with Taliban on Countering Drug Trade – On Tuesday, Iran called for stronger cooperation with the Taliban to combat drug trafficking. In a meeting, Iran’s deputy interior minister praised the Taliban’s drug ban but emphasized the need for joint efforts with Afghanistan and Pakistan. Iran offered training and technological support. Taliban officials acknowledged past issues with the drug trade, but UN reports indicate rising methamphetamine trafficking despite Taliban crackdowns.
Afghan Migrants intercepted in Türkiye – The Turkish Coast Guard detained 36 Afghan migrants attempting to reach Europe, including 17 children, according to reports on Tuesday, March 5. The migrants were transferred to a detention center after being intercepted. Authorities continue crackdowns on undocumented migrants across Türkiye. Earlier, police arrested 20 Afghan migrants in Sakarya as part of these efforts.
NEXT WEEK
During Ramadan, the Taliban is likely to intensify arrests and detentions for moral crimes. Those in Afghanistan should exercise caution, as religious sentiments and tensions tend to run high. Checkpoints will likely be set up in major cities, as ISKP has historically escalated attacks during this period.
In Pakistan, searches, detentions, and deportations will continue this week, with pressure on Afghans—particularly in Islamabad and Rawalpindi—remaining high ahead of the March 31 deadline to leave. Those in Pakistan should carry proper documentation at all times and be aware that detention and deportation are possible even with valid papers. Avoid crowds and limit travel to essential needs.
In Iran, deportations are ongoing, with the government aiming to expel 1 million Afghans before the March 21 New Year. Afghans should travel cautiously and keep valid documents on hand at all times.
In the US, a travel ban impacting Afghans is likely in the next week. Afghans in the US, including green card holders are urged to avoid international travel at this time, as it is unknown when the ban will begin or how it will impact green card holders returning to the US.
While SIV holders can still self-fund travel to the U.S., resettlement funds remain paused, meaning no assistance is available for housing, medical care, food benefits, or school enrollment. Those with printed visas should travel before March 12, as the ban may affect entry.
ICE raids are ongoing in the U.S. Afghans should be aware of their legal rights and carry proper documentation at all times. New resources are available for those in the U.S.: assistance with parole can be accessed here, resources for recent SIV arrivals here, and support for recent refugee arrivals here.
Afghans in the US or with US visa cases can find relevant information on current developments here
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
250,000 Afghan Migrants Detained in the Past Year – Iran has detained 250,000 Afghan migrants since March 22, 2024, and plans legal action against those employing or housing them, Tehran’s governor, Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian, announced. Undocumented Afghans will be deported via the Khavaran camp. Authorities have urged voluntary returns and launched a province-wide crackdown. Businesses violating restrictions face shutdowns. The move follows Iran’s concerns over economic strain, security risks, and tensions with the Taliban government.
Iran Releases List of Afghan Migrants Allowed to Remain – Iran’s Ministry of Interior has announced that six categories of Afghan migrants with census registration documents will be allowed to stay legally under a new directive. These include:
Spouses of Amayesh cardholders.
Families where the head holds an Amayesh card.
Those with expired passports/visas who pay a fine and re-enter legally.
Afghans with work permits or job IDs who complete paperwork.
Former Afghan government employees seeking international processing.
Afghans with valid passports meeting residency rules.
Families with school-aged children outside these groups may apply for a three-month exit permit. Undocumented migrants lose access to public services from March 20.
15 Afghans Executed in Two Months – Iran has executed at least 15 Afghan nationals in the past two months, mostly on drug-related charges, according to the Iran Human Rights Organization. Executions have risen sharply since the Taliban took power, with 80 Afghans executed in 2024 alone. Legal experts criticize Iran’s judicial process, citing a lack of fair trials. The Taliban have been accused of failing to protect Afghan citizens, while thousands remain imprisoned in Iran.
Crackdown on Women’s Rights Activists – Iranian security forces summoned and threatened several women’s rights activists in Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province, warning them against participating in International Women’s Day events. On Thursday, they were forced to sign commitments not to attend public gatherings. This crackdown highlights Iran’s ongoing repression of civil society and minority women’s rights activism.
PAKISTAN
Afghan KIlled in North Waziristan – Pakistani media reported that Afghan citizen Mujeeb-ur-Rahman Mansoor was killed during a clash between Pakistani security forces and armed groups in North Waziristan. He was identified as a former commander at Afghanistan’s National Military Academy and was killed on February 28, along with 14 others labeled as “terrorists.” His affiliation with the Taliban or the former Afghan government remains unclear.
Islamabad Rez Zone Entry and Exits Closed – Islamabad authorities temporarily closed key Red Zone entry and exit points, including Express Chowk and Serena Hotel routes, citing security concerns. Commuters were advised to use alternative routes. Meanwhile, security forces repelled a terrorist attack on the Lakhani checkpoint at the Punjab-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border, detecting assailants via thermal imaging. Police reported significant militant casualties and noted that this was the 19th such repelled attack.
Detention and Deportation Continue – Pakistani police conducted a house-to-house search in Islamabad’s Faisal Town on Wednesday, detaining and deporting Afghan refugees. Images confirm the operation, marking the first such crackdown in the area, home to many journalists and activists. Pakistan has forcibly deported over 1,000 Afghan refugees in recent months amid escalating pressures on migrants. Authorities have set a March 31, 2025, deadline for all undocumented Afghan citizens and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders to leave voluntarily. From April 2025, deportations under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program (IFRP), which began in November 2023, will resume.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Anti-Taliban groups conclude fifth Vienna Conference
Will Selber
On February 18, 2025, various factions of the anti-Taliban resistance wrapped up the fifth Vienna Process Conference for a Democratic Afghanistan, calling for international assistance in forming a transitional government. Former leaders of the Afghan government, civil society representatives, and anti-Taliban resistance leaders participated in the event hosted by the Austrian Institute for International Affairs.
“The fifth round of the Vienna Process brought together over 90 participants, making it the largest gathering on Afghanistan since 2021,” Ali Nazary, head of foreign relations for the National Resistance Front, an alliance of former Northern Alliance members and additional anti-Taliban fighters, told FDD’sLong War Journal.
The conference emphasized the adoption of the Vienna Process Roadmap, which seeks to foster democracy and restore the rule of law in Afghanistan. This roadmap, developed through extensive discussions during the first four conferences, aims to end political violence, enhance international relations with the Afghan diaspora, promote the rights of marginalized Afghans, and establish a framework for a stronger economy.
AFGHAN NEWS
Opinion: How Pakistan uses militants to gain regional influence
Rahmatullah Nabil
The security dynamics of the region are far more complex than what is reflected in official statements from U.S., Pakistani, or Taliban officials. The recent arrest and transfer to U.S. custody of the alleged mastermind behind the Abbey Gate attack at Kabul airport—a move credited to Pakistan’s cooperation—raises deeper questions about Islamabad’s role in managing and directing regional militant groups.
For decades, Pakistan has used proxy warfare as a geopolitical tool. From supporting jihadist fighters in the 1980s to backing the Taliban in the 1990s and exploiting terrorist networks after 2001, Islamabad has repeatedly manufactured and then managed security crises to extract political and economic concessions.
WHO Reports Rise in Infectious Diseases in Afghanistan Amid Crippled Health System
Kabul Now
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports an increase in infectious diseases across Afghanistan, warning that the country’s crippled healthcare system is struggling to cope with the crisis.
In its January report, released on Tuesday, WHO said over 206,000 cases of acute respiratory infection (ARI)-pneumonia were recorded in January, with 506 deaths. The figures mark a 54% rise in cases and a slight increase in fatalities compared to the previous month.
“Acute respiratory infections, including pneumonia, remain a major health challenge in Afghanistan,” the WHO said. “This underscores the urgent need for strengthened case management, improved healthcare access, and a sustained focus on vaccination and preventive measures.”
Taliban arrest Afghan activist who campaigned for education of girl
Arpan Rai
Taliban officials have arrested an Afghan educator who has been campaigning for the education rights of girls in the country, his family members have confirmed.
Wazir Khan, 25, was arrested from his residence in the Kabul area on 24 February, his family has said. The arrest was carried out by four of the Taliban’s local officials who took him to their intelligence facility General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI).
He was picked up from his house in Butkhak in Kabul, taken out by the Taliban officials who tied his hands and blindfolded his eyes, his brother Amir Khan Zaland told The Independent.
REGIONAL NEWS
Six killed in blast at Pakistan's 'University of Jihad'
Kathryn Armstrong & Sarah Atiq
At least six people have been killed in a suicide attack at an Islamic seminary in northern Pakistan that has been described as the "University of Jihad".
The blast happened at the mosque within the Darul Uloom Haqqania, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, about 55km (34 miles) from the northern city of Peshawar.
Maulana Hamid ul-Haq, a prominent cleric and the influential head of the school, is among the dead. Police said more than 10 other people had been injured.
The seminary has long been associated with the Taliban since several of its members, including the group's founder Mullah Omar, trained there.
11 lives lost as Bannu survives deadly attack
Ghulam Mursalin Marwat
At least 11 people — five women and four children — lost their lives and 22 sustained injuries after terrorists rammed two explosives-laden vehicles into the perimeter of Bannu Cantonment in an attempt to enter the high-security zone, on Tuesday evening.
Sources told Dawn that six attackers were also killed in the ensuing shoot-out, which took place in the jurisdiction of the Bannu Cantonment police station.
Iranian-American journalist on hunger strike in Evin prison
Iran International
Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh, a former reporter for US-funded Radio Farda, has launched a hunger strike in Evin Prison, protesting what he calls an unjust and rushed legal process that resulted in his 10-year prison sentence.
Valizadeh, who was arrested in September last year after returning to Iran to visit family, was convicted of collaborating with a hostile government—a charge his legal team and international observers have strongly denounced.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
IRAP
Today, during a hearing in Pacito v. Trump, the court noted that the timing of the federal government’s termination of resettlement agencies’ contracts last week–24 hours after the court stopped the government from implementing President Trump’s refugee ban Executive Order–“raises serious concerns.” The court also ordered the government to file a status report detailing its efforts to resume refugee processing as of Monday, March 10.
The lawsuit, challenging the suspension of the U.S. refugee resettlement program and the abrupt withholding of millions of dollars in critical funds to refugee-serving agencies, was filed by the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) on behalf of Church World Service (CWS), HIAS, Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW), and nine impacted individuals.
Looming Trump travel ban strikes fear in Afghans who worked with U.S. military
Dan De Luce and Abigail Williams
Expectations that President Donald Trump will soon bar Afghans and Pakistanis from entering the United States has set off panic among Afghans who were promised visas for their work with the U.S. military, according to three refugee advocates.
The Trump administration is preparing a new travel ban that will prohibit citizens of multiple countries from traveling to the United States based on concerns related to security and vetting, according to the advocates, who said they were informed directly by government officials. Afghanistan and Pakistan will likely be part of that blacklist, and the travel ban could be announced as soon as next week, they said.
Reuters first reported on the proposed travel ban.
In his first term in office, Trump imposed similar travel bans that blacklisted Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 72.27 AFN (As of March 9)
