The Week of November 24-30
AWA Statement on DC Shooting
The Association of Wartime Allies (AWA) forcefully and unequivocally condemns the horrific violence inflicted on two U.S. National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C. The tragic loss of U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and the life-threatening injuries suffered by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe should shake us all. Our hearts, our sympathy, and our unwavering solidarity remain with their families, their units, and all U.S. troops during this extraordinarily painful time.
One abhorrent act does not define a people, a culture, or the tens of thousands of Afghans who stood shoulder to shoulder with U.S. forces for two decades. The bond between Americans and Afghans predates the 20-year war, and our shared history carries obligations we cannot abandon. Keeping our word to our Afghan allies is not charity; it is deterrence. The next time U.S. troops ask a local linguist or partner force to step forward, that person will remember whether America honored its commitments. Upholding the promise is not sentiment; it is a forward-looking strategy that strengthens U.S. national security.
National security is cumulative. The immediate and justified priority is protecting the United States and its citizens within our borders, but national security is never singular. It also depends on the trust we build with local partners in conflict zones around the world. U.S. troops cannot operate safely or effectively without people who know the terrain, the language, and the threats they face. Afghans spent courage we did not have to spend. They stepped into the line of fire, shielded U.S. troops, and put their names, their families, and neighborhoods on the line for an American mission. They earned our protection. The only currency that repays that debt is honor.
Every Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicant already undergoes the most rigorous vetting in the U.S. immigration system, and each deserves the nine-month processing timeline written in statute. Speed does not mean skipping steps. It means properly resourcing the process so it works as intended. Every successful relocation denies the Taliban a target, protects a partner, and preserves a critical bridge to future cooperation when American forces are next asked to serve.
AWA stands firmly with our veterans, whose service and sacrifice remain at the heart of everything we do. AWA was founded by veterans, forward-facing civil servants, and Afghan Americans who understand the true cost of war and the enduring value of keeping faith with those who served alongside the United States. We will continue, without hesitation, our advocacy for the Afghan allies who served beside U.S. forces and whose safety depends on a functioning SIV program. Our commitment to both communities remains steady and undiminished.
Security and Conflict
Strikes in Paktika, Khost and Kunar – On the night of Monday, November 24, airstrikes targeted multiple areas in Afghanistan’s eastern and southeastern provinces—Khost, Kunar, and Paktika—killing at least 10 civilians and injuring six others. According to the Taliban and UNAMA, the dead included nine children and one woman. Most casualties occurred in Khost’s Mughalghi area of Gurbuz district around midnight, where the home of a local resident, Waliat Khan, was struck and destroyed.
In Kunar, drones hit a house in the Chahi area of Asadabad around 2 a.m., wounding a man, two women, and two children. Additional strikes in Paktika brought the total number of injured civilians in the latter two provinces to four. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the attacks as violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and breaches of international law, warning of a “timely response.” UNAMA also condemned the strikes, emphasizing that most victims were children and urging all parties to uphold international humanitarian law. Pakistani officials denied responsibility, calling the Taliban’s allegations baseless.
Cross border Attack for Afghanistan to Tajikistan – On Wednesday night, an attack launched from Afghan territory targeted a Chinese workers’ camp in Tajikistan’s Khatlon region using an armed drone, killing three Chinese employees of LLC Shohin SM. Tajik authorities condemned the attack, blamed criminal groups inside Afghanistan, and urged Afghan officials to strengthen border security and prevent further cross-border violence.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Women’s Protest Movement Statements – On Monday, ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, three Afghan women’s protest movements accused the Taliban of institutionalizing violence and discrimination. They described the restrictions on education, work, mobility, and public participation as forms of gender apartheid and crimes against humanity.
Taliban Kill Young Man Over Family Dispute – On Thursday, Taliban forces shot and killed 23-year-old Ali Khan Akbari, a resident of Daikundi, in the Aliabad neighborhood of Mazar-e-Sharif. According to sources, a mediator was called after a family dispute, and a Taliban officer then fired six bullets at Akbari in front of his mother. Relatives claim he was targeted for speaking out, while Taliban authorities in Balkh deny the incident occurred.
Floggings – On Tuesday, two men and two women were flogged in Balkh. On Wednesday, one man and one woman were flogged in Samangan. On Thursday, 15 people were flogged in Kabul. On Saturday, one person was flogged in Jowzjan. On Sunday, 15 people were flogged in Kabul, and 2 in Helmand.
Internal Politics
Hizbi Wahdat Holds Online Congress – On Monday, Mohammad Mohaqiq’s Hizb-e Wahdat-e Islami Mardom-e Afghanistan held its second national congress online, with more than 300 participants. The exiled party approved a new flag, an updated charter, a five-year leadership structure, and a Central Council. Mohaqiq was reaffirmed as party leader. With political activity banned inside Afghanistan, exiled groups like Wahdat operate virtually, positioning themselves for possible political openings should the Taliban’s hold weaken.
Further Cuts to Provincial Education Staff – On Monday, the Taliban’s Ministry of Education announced the elimination of hundreds of staff positions across provincial departments, affecting 26–30 employees per province. This follows a broader reduction earlier in the year that cut approximately 90,000 posts.
International Developments
Australian Parliament Recognized Persecution of Hazaras – On Wednesday, Australian MP Richard Marles announced that the Australian Parliament has formally recognized the persecution of Hazaras in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. He highlighted both their contributions to Australian society and the threats they face in Afghanistan. Marles thanked Hazara activists for their advocacy. Since the Taliban takeover, Hazaras have faced systematic discrimination, suppression, and land seizures, drawing concern from international organizations and human rights groups.
Freedom of the Press
70 Year Old Arrested over TikTok – On Saturday, the Taliban’s MoPVPV announced the arrest of 70-year-old TikTok user Malik Akbar. The ministry accused him of producing content that violated Islamic and moral values. He was referred to a Taliban court, and the MoPVPV warned that others engaged in similar online activities would also face arrest.
School Teacher Arrested Over Videos – On Wednesday, the Taliban arrested Abdul Basir Sangi, a teacher and youth official in Abshar district, Panjshir, after he allegedly circulated images of a school fire reportedly started by Taliban members last week in Parangal.
Poet Arrested in Balkh – On Sunday, November 23, Taliban intelligence arrested Balkh poet and cultural activist Sayed Sikandar Hosseini Bamdad as he was heading to work. Friends say the arrest was linked to his Persian-language poetry events, which had reportedly included female attendees. A week later, his whereabouts remain unknown despite conflicting statements from Taliban authorities.
Regional Developments
Pakistan Statement on TTP in Afghanistan – On Saturday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that during recent clashes with the Taliban, Pakistan had prepared to launch a major military operation inside Afghanistan but halted after mediation efforts by Qatar and Turkey. He also said the Taliban claimed earlier this year to have arrested more than 100 TTP members, but he stressed that stronger and sustained action is necessary. Pakistan accuses the Taliban of harboring TTP militants who launch attacks from Afghan soil—a claim the Taliban denies, insisting TTP is Pakistan’s internal matter. Several negotiation rounds in Doha and Istanbul ended without progress.
Pakistan Refuses Taliban Request to Discuss Deportations – On Wednesday, a Taliban official confirmed that Pakistan rejected the Afghan embassy’s request to discuss the forced deportation of Afghan migrants. The Taliban’s consul in Pakistan described camp conditions as alarming and said all appeals to delay deportations were denied.
UAE Appoints New Ambassador to Afghanistan – On Monday, the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry announced the appointment of Saif Mohammad Al-Ketbi as the new UAE ambassador to Kabul. He replaces Eisa Salem Al-Dhaheri, who served in the role since 2018.
Taliban Delegation Travels to Tajikistan – On Thursday, a Taliban delegation led by Badakhshan Governor Ismail Ghaznavi and the Deputy Commander of Border Police visited Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan region. They met with the regional governor, Tajikistan’s deputy border security chief, and other officials to discuss strengthening border coordination and improving the management of border crossings.
Governor of Khorasan Razavi Visits Herat – On Wednesday, the governor of Iran’s Khorasan Razavi province arrived in Herat with a delegation. According to Herat governor’s spokesperson Mohammad Yousuf Saeedi, the visit focused on strengthening trade ties, reviewing previous bilateral agreements, and discussing improvements at the Islam Qala–Dogharoon border crossing to facilitate increased commerce between Afghanistan and Iran.
US Visa Processing Information/US Legal Information:
As of Nov. 28, 2025, all Afghan visa processing is halted, per orders of President Trump. For more information on Afghan Immigration pause and possible review of Afghan Asylum and Refugee cases, please see the spotlight analysis.
TAD will update as more information becomes available.
Last Day to File New SIV Case – The deadline for new SIV applications is currently set for December 31, 2025. For more information on the implications and guidance for eligible individuals and current applicants, please refer IRAP’s guide here
NEXT WEEK
Afghans with pending U.S. visa applications are facing a pause in processing. The duration of this freeze remains unclear. Interviews for immigrant visa applicants are likely to be canceled or delayed in the coming weeks.
Afghans residing in the U.S. are advised to remain calm. The potential impact of recent policy changes on Afghan refugees, asylees, and green card holders is not yet known. The Afghan Digest will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Afghans in the US are reminded to use caution with public messaging on current events related to Afghans and Afghanistan. Emotions are running high at this time and the potential for backlash or violence against Afghans is increased.
In Afghanistan, the situation remains largely status quo.
Tensions remain high between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Following this week’s drone strikes and the TTP’s announcement that it will resume attacks, further clashes are likely along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border. Deportations of Afghans without valid visas are expected to continue in the coming weeks, including for those with U.S. visa applications in process. Several raids, including night-time operations, were reported this week and are likely to persist in major cities.
Pakistan is currently not extending visas for Afghan nationals. The border between Afghanistan and Pakistan has remained closed to Afghan travelers since October 9, even for those holding valid visas, and is unlikely to reopen for outbound travel from Afghanistan in the foreseeable future. Reports also indicate increased restrictions on air travel, with several Afghans denied boarding despite holding valid visas. These restrictions are expected to continue into next week.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iran Transfers Prisoners to Taliban – On Monday, the Taliban embassy in Tehran announced the transfer of 81 Afghan prisoners from Iran to Afghanistan, following the transfer of 211 inmates the previous day. In total, 292 prisoners from four Iranian provinces were returned under a bilateral prisoner-transfer agreement coordinated with Iran’s Ministry of Justice. Similar transfers have taken place in the past, allowing inmates to complete their sentences in Taliban-controlled prisons.
Deportations Continue – Deportations from Iran continued this week. Daily deportation figures remained in the low hundreds, and no major operations are underway by the Iranian government to detain or deport Afghans. As always, Afghans in Iran must maintain valid legal status.
PAKISTAN
TTP Resume Attacks – On Wednesday, the TTP resumed issuing attack claims after a month-long pause, releasing a video showing the execution of an alleged spy, identified as Farman Khan, in Peshawar. The group had suspended public claims during recent Pakistan–Afghanistan negotiations.
Attack on Federal Constabulary in Peshawar – On Monday, three paramilitary personnel were killed and at least 11 others injured in a coordinated suicide attack on the Federal Constabulary headquarters in the Saddar area of Peshawar. One attacker detonated explosives at the main gate, while two others were shot dead as they attempted to enter. The attack occurred as hundreds of security personnel were gathering for a parade. The Khalid Khorasani Network, affiliated with Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, claimed responsibility, though the claim’s authenticity remains unverified. Authorities report that all injured personnel are in stable condition.
Afghan Journalist Detained – On Monday, Pakistani police arrested Afghan journalist Noorullah Akbari in Islamabad’s Faisal Town and transferred him to the Haji Camp detention center. Akbari is among several Afghan journalists recently detained amid rising tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban.
Drone Attack on ISKP Base – On Wednesday evening, unidentified drones struck two suspected ISKP hideouts in the Jabar Mela area of Khyber district around 6:30 p.m., according to pro-Taliban media. Reports claim several key ISKP figures includingAbdul Hakim Tawhidi, Gul Nazim, and Sadiq Yar, were present. Pakistani forces reportedly opened fire as the drones exited toward Afghanistan. Pakistani authorities have not released an official statement on the incident.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Shooting Near White House Involving Afghan Evacuee Raises Immigration Concerns
TAD Staff
What Happened:
On the afternoon of Wednesday, November 26, 2025, two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot in an ambush while on patrol near the Farragut West Metro station in downtown Washington, D.C., close to the White House. The shooter opened fire without warning before being subdued and arrested by nearby law enforcement. One guardsman, 20-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, died from her injuries. The second, 24-year-old Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, remains hospitalized in critical condition. Authorities have described the attack as deliberate and targeted, though the motive is still under investigation. Federal and local agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, are leading the inquiry. The incident occurred one day before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, prompting heightened security across the capital. Officials have stated there is currently no indication of a broader threat.
Details on the Shooter:
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspected gunman, is a 29‑year‑old Afghan national who arrived in the United States in September 2021 as part of the U.S. evacuation effort following the fall of Kabul. According to federal sources, he had previously worked with units supported by the U.S. intelligence community, specifically the Kandahar Strike Force (QSF)—a CIA‑funded paramilitary unit that operated in southern Afghanistan during the final decade of the Afghan republic. Lakanwal held the rank of E‑5, equivalent to sergeant, suggesting mid‑level responsibility and experience in small‑unit operations. His identity documents list him as originating from the Lakan area of Khost province, one of the three central districts of the provincial capital.
The QSF and similar “Zero” units were recruited locally but operated with limited Afghan government oversight despite officially being part of the Afghan NDS; these groups were run with significant CIA involvement. The units were separate from the formal Afghan military and police. The groups were an integral part of counterterrorism efforts under the Republic, though human rights groups have previously documented allegations of abuse and extrajudicial actions associated with such units.
Following the fall of Kabul, many QSF personnel and other Zero units, including Lakanwal, were asked by U.S. forces to help secure the perimeter of Hamid Karzai International Airport during the evacuation. He was later relocated to the U.S. under a humanitarian program, and his asylum application was reportedly approved shortly before the attack. As of now, no clear motive has been confirmed, and authorities have not released evidence linking Lakanwal to organized extremist groups.
Implications for Afghans
In response to the shooting, U.S. authorities have enacted sweeping immigration-related measures affecting Afghan nationals. USCIS has paused all asylum decisions and immigration-related requests for Afghans, and is reexamining previously granted permanent residencies for nationals of 19 countries, including Afghanistan. Several scheduled citizenship ceremonies and immigration interviews have reportedly been canceled, though no formal implementation guidance has been made public.
The State Department has also suspended the issuance of visas for Afghan passport holders, citing national security concerns.President Trump further ordered a full review of all Afghans admitted to the United States during the Biden administration. These measures effectively freeze immigration pathways for Afghans, including those with SIV, follow-to-join applications, and family-based petitions. At this time, there has been no indication that cases are cancelled, just that a pause is in effect. Existing restrictions under the Trump-era refugee ban continue to block most Afghan asylum seekers and humanitarian parolees. At this time, we are receiving reports of cases with visas marked as “ISSUED” but not yet delivered to the SIV applicant are reverting to “REFUSED” status, while visas already received by applicants remain listed as “ISSUED.” It is not yet clear whether those affected will be permitted to travel onward to the United States.
It remains unclear how long these measures will remain in place. Those with pending interviews or immigration processes should expect significant delays. Those in the US may also face re-interview, though the details are unclear at this time. The Afghan Digest will continue to monitor developments and provide updates related to Afghans currently in the U.S. or awaiting U.S. immigration decisions.
AFGHAN NEWS
UNAMA: Afghan women’s risk of violence up 40%
Siyar Sirat
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has reported a 40 percent increase over the past two years in the number of women and girls at heightened risk of violence in the country, with 14.2 million now in need of protection and assistance.
“As the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of the 16 Days of Activism against gender‑based violence, we call for renewed solidarity with Afghan women and increased investment in concrete support,” said Georgette Gagnon, UNAMA’s acting head.
REGIONAL NEWS
Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce says billions in imports blocked in Pakistan ports
Yasin Shayan
Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment said Wednesday that imports worth an estimated $6 billion to $6.5 billion remain stuck at Pakistani ports and border crossings, as trade routes between the two countries remain closed.
Khan Jan Alokozay, a board member of the chamber, told Amu TV that more than 11,500 shipping containers carrying Afghan commercial goods — previously transiting through Pakistan — have been stalled in Karachi and at major border crossings such as Torkham and Spin Boldak for the past 47 days.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Afghan national arrested over alleged bomb threat in Texas
Luke Barr and Ivan Pereira
Homeland Security said investigators arrested an Afghan national who allegedly made a social media post about “building a bomb” and threatened to blow up a building in Fort Worth, Texas.
Mohammad Dawood Alokozay’s arrest took place on Tuesday, Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary with DHS, said in a social media post Saturday.
Alokozay was arrested on state terror charges and is being held at a corrections center in Tarrant County, Texas, according to court records.
Afghani to US Dollar: $1 – 66.24 AFN (As of November 30)