The Week of September 23-29
Security and Conflict
Report on Border Conflicts – According to Afghanistan Security Watch, the Taliban have engaged in at least 45 border clashes during their three years in power (August 2021–August 2024), primarily with Pakistan (19 times), Iran (16 times), and Central Asian nations (10 times). These incidents resulted in approximately 100 deaths and 67 injuries, including civilians. Most tensions occurred along the eastern and western borders, with some linked to terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil. Nearly 90% of these incidents escalated into military conflicts. The provinces of Nimroz, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Balkh, and Khost experienced the most clashes, while regions like Nuristan and Logar reported none. The full text and infogram can be found here
Border Clash – On Wednesday, a Taliban fighter named Shahabuddin from Kunar was killed in a 30-minute clash with Pakistani forces in the Anargi area of Goshta district, Nangarhar. On Friday, additional clashes were reported between Pakistani border guards and Taliban fighters in the Goshta district along the Durand Line. The confrontation began when Taliban fighters attempted to establish a security post, prompting a response from Pakistani forces. On Saturday, further clashes occurred in the Salala area of Goshta district, again sparked by the Taliban's efforts to set up a security post. Two Taliban fighters were killed, and three others were injured in Saturday’s clashes, no reports on casualties are available for earlier clashes.
Taliban Collecting Weapons in Panjshir – On Monday, the Taliban police command in Panjshir initiated a second round of collecting unregistered weapons and clearing vehicles with tinted windows. Officials claim the initiative aims to enhance security and identify unauthorized armed individuals. They have urged the local population to comply with regulations regarding the possession and transportation of unlicensed firearms.
Taliban District Chief Attacks Hospital – Local sources report that Mullah Habibullah, the Taliban district chief in Shuhada, Badakhshan, assaulted doctors at the district hospital, demanding that his requests be met. He shut down the hospital’s obstetrics and gynecology department and physically attacked staff, including the hospital director Wahidullah and chief doctor Haroon, in public view.
Former ANSF Killed in Badgis – Taliban intelligence executed Nasir Ahmad, a former member of the ANSF, in Badghis, accusing him of ties to the NRF. He was killed in the Chakar area of Qala-i-Naw after being detained with a hand grenade. Local Taliban officials have not commented on the incident.
Taliban Official Arrested Following Grenade Attack in Badghis – On Saturday, Mawlavi Mazmal, the education chief for the Ab Kamari district, was arrested following an attack on the Taliban’s 3rd Brigade of the 207th Al-Farooq Corps in Badghis. He is accused of throwing a hand grenade into the brigade's compound. Although reports of a grenade attack on the unit surfaced about a week ago, the Taliban have not officially commented on the incident.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Virtue And Vice Document Released – In June, Mullah Hibatullah issued a directive, the full text of which was leaked this week. The document instructs all department heads to prohibit the cutting of ribbons during project inaugurations, walking on carpets while wearing shoes, and participating in mixed martial arts, classifying these actions as "immoral" and akin to "non-Muslim" practices. The decree, from the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, also discourages celebrating non-Islamic events such as Teacher’s Day and Valentine’s Day, asserting that Muslims should refrain from such festivities.
Arrest of Health Care Workers Increasing – According to SIGAR, arrests of healthcare workers in Afghanistan surged by over 100% from 2022 to 2023. Charges included immorality, failing to segregate staff by gender, traveling without a male guardian, alleged ties to the Islamic State, and corruption. These detentions reflect the growing scrutiny and control over healthcare professionals in the country. SIGAR’s quarterly report can be accessed here.
Students Expelled From University for Playing Football – On Wednesday, the president of Badakhshan University expelled 26 students for playing football during prayer times. The students were evicted from their dormitories and classes, and their names and pictures were posted at the university to prevent re-entry. Reports indicate that the expulsions were accompanied by beatings and public humiliation. Local Taliban officials have not commented on the incident.
Money Changers Arrested in Herat – The Taliban arrested at least 70 money changers from Herat’s Khorasan market on Sunday following protests against increased license and bank guarantee fees, which rose to 9 million Afghanis. More arrests followed on Wednesday, but no updates on the status of the detained individuals have been provided.
Taliban Forcibly Displaces Families – On Monday, Taliban police evicted several Taymani families from the villages of Jiregak and Darah in the Dowlatyar district due to an ongoing land dispute, ordering 600 families to vacate the area. Local residents claim the Taliban governor in Ghor favored his relatives in the conflict. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, residents in the Qush Tepah district of Jowzjan province protested the Taliban’s forced relocation of Uzbeks and Turkmen over land seizures, facing detention for their resistance.
Political Analyst Detained – On Thursday, political analyst Jawed Kohistani was arrested by Taliban intelligence in Kabul’s Sarai Shamali area. The reason for his detention remains unclear, and the Taliban have not issued a statement. Kohistani, known for his outspoken views, had previously fled Afghanistan after the Taliban's return to power in 2021 but returned last summer.
Student Beaten Trying to Access Iranian Consulate – On Monday, a student from Badakhshan was beaten and detained by Taliban guards at the Iranian Consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh province, after a verbal altercation. The student had been trying to obtain permission to travel to Iran for over 10 days but was repeatedly denied entry. He was struck with a rifle butt before being detained, and his current whereabouts are unknown.
Former House of Representatives Member Arrested – On Thursday, the Taliban arrested Shapoor Hassanzoi, a former representative from Logar, over a property dispute in Nangarhar. No official statement has been released, and Hassanzoi remains in Taliban custody.
Statues Beheaded in Herat – Sources report that the Taliban beheaded bird and animal sculptures in Herat province on Wednesday. This follows a previous ban on mannequins, which required store owners to decapitate them, reflecting the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law prohibiting depictions of living beings.
Education Activist Released – On Thursday, Amnesty International announced the release of education activist Ahmad Fahim Azimi, who had been imprisoned for 11 months. His detention was part of a broader crackdown on dissent and activism in Afghanistan, raising ongoing human rights concerns. Azimi's release marks a significant development for advocates of education and human rights in the country.
Flogging – On Sunday, two men were flogged in Kandahar.
Internal Politics
Hibatullah Speech on Extrajudicial Killings of Prisoners – During a visit to Kunduz, Mullah Hibatullah addressed troubling reports regarding prisoner deaths in Taliban jails. He explained that he had reached out to a prison warden to determine whether these fatalities were sanctioned by a court. The warden claimed to be unaware of the situation, attributing responsibility to his colleagues. In response, Mullah Hibatullah condemned the negligence and permanently dismissed the warden, emphasizing that such oversights could destabilize the regime. Although the released clips are incomplete, it appears that Hibatullah was referring to past incidents when he served as part of the judiciary, using them to urge the current Taliban government to avoid repeating such issues. Hibatullah also expressed concern over a growing lack of prayer among Taliban members and highlighted the need to educate the public on religious practices and protect mosques. He reaffirmed the Taliban's commitment to enforcing virtue and vice laws, stressing that there would be no concessions regarding Sharia law.
Hibatullah Meets with Supreme Court – Mullah Hibatullah recently met with officials from the Taliban's Supreme Court, urging them to maintain judicial independence and resist external pressures. He stressed the importance of conducting judicial affairs promptly and effectively to strengthen the Sharia system. Akhundzada reiterated that all citizens must receive their Sharia rights and that courts should punish oppressors. This meeting comes amid ongoing accusations against the Taliban for extrajudicial killings, torture, and harassment of former officials and activists, with international organizations calling for accountability for these human rights violations.
Voice Memo Leaked On Taliban Recruitment issues – A leaked voice clip circulating in Taliban WhatsApp groups reveals growing frustration within the group over recruitment challenges. The speaker criticizes the GDI for rejecting MOD candidates after initial approval, accusing GDI officers of corruption and incompetence. He calls for accountability, labeling the GDI an “anti-Jihadi” force suppressing local Taliban fighters. The clip underscores internal tensions and widespread dissatisfaction among Taliban members, with the MOD and MOI increasingly arresting fighters accused of supporting ISKP.
Internal Shuffling – The Taliban has reassigned 13 former officials to various ministries, governorships, and security positions, continuing a pattern of internal reshuffling without introducing new faces. Notable appointments include Bakhtawar Rahman Sharafat as Deputy Minister for Finance at the Ministry of Public Health and Mohammad Khan Dawat as governor of Kunduz.
Governor of Ghor Replaced – The Taliban has appointed Hayatullah Mubarak as the new governor of Ghor, replacing Ahmad Shah Deendost. Deendost was a controversial figure, allegedly responsible for killing opponents and ordering the forced relocation of nearly 600 families in Dowlatyar. He also displaced 31 families from the Taymani tribe in favor of his relatives, despite a court ruling.
International Developments
Plan to Bring the Taliban Before International Court of Justice – Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, and Canada are planning to bring the Taliban before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague over severe violations of women's and girls' rights in Afghanistan. These nations have called on the Taliban to fulfill their international obligations under the "Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women". If the Taliban fails to comply, arbitration will begin, which could lead to a formal dispute at the ICJ. This legal action follows the Taliban's recent implementation of laws that drastically curtail women's rights in the country.
Freedom of the Press
Journalists Sentenced to 10 Years – OOn Friday, two Afghan journalists, Mohammad Arif Hejran and Ahmad Kamran, were sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Taliban. The journalists were arrested on July 16, initially for covering an Ashura event. However, they were later accused of reporting on Kabul's security and social conditions. Hejran had previously worked for several media outlets, including Payam News Agency.
New Rule on Religious Debates Clarified – The Taliban has introduced new rules banning live media debates in Afghanistan, allowing only pre-recorded discussions featuring Taliban-approved experts. Criticism of Taliban policies or officials is prohibited unless backed by evidence, and media outlets must remove any sensitive content before airing. Violations of these rules will result in legal consequences for both media staff and participants under Taliban law.
Regional Developments
Taliban Filed Complaint Against Asif Durrani – Senior Taliban leaders have lodged a formal complaint with Pakistani military leadership, accusing Asif Durrani of contacting Afghan opposition leaders and seeking their support to overthrow the Taliban government. Durrani allegedly conveyed that Pakistan sees no alternative but to remove the Taliban from power.
Iran's Statement on Afghanistan – On Saturday, Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, emphasized the need for regional cooperation against terrorism during a quadrilateral meeting with Russia, China, and Pakistan's defense ministers in New York. He warned that groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda pose threats to both Afghanistan and regional security. Araqchi also expressed concern about Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis and the impact of U.S. sanctions, urging the international community to provide unconditional support to host countries like Iran for Afghan refugees.
Russian Statement on Removing Taliban from Terrorist List – On Friday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko stated that removing the Taliban from Russia’s list of terrorist organizations will not happen quickly, as it requires legal changes. He emphasized that while Russia is open to cooperation with the Taliban, this is contingent on their removal from the list. President Putin has also acknowledged the need to engage with the Taliban while consulting regional partners, including Central Asian countries.
Taliban to Participate in Upcoming Moscow Meeting – The sixth Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan is scheduled for October 2024, with the Taliban expected to be invited. The previous meeting was held in Kazan in September 2023. While no country officially recognizes the Taliban, several nations, including Russia, India, Iran, China, and Pakistan, maintain diplomatic relations and participate in discussions through this format. The exact date for the upcoming meeting has yet to be announced.
Miscellaneous
European Commission Announces New Aid Package – The European Commission has unveiled a €146 million aid package for Afghanistan, aimed at providing essential services and improving the livelihoods of women, children, and vulnerable populations. This initiative addresses the growing humanitarian needs under Taliban rule, with a particular focus on incorporating women into aid planning. Since 2021, the EU has allocated a total of €903 million in support for Afghanistan.
Mystery Illness in Parwan – Over 550 people in Parwan province have fallen ill with an unknown disease in the past four days, exhibiting symptoms such as physical weakness, severe muscle pain, intense diarrhea, and high fever, according to Taliban spokesman Hikmatullah Shamee. Most cases are concentrated in the Kafshan Valley, with two reported deaths and 50 individuals in critical condition. Local health officials are closely monitoring the situation.
Flood in Nangarhar – On Thursday, floods in Nangarhar's Kuz Kunar district killed at least three people and injured 20. The flooding destroyed 150 homes, breached a key irrigation canal, and devastated villages including Kandi, Ghaziabad, and Salampor. Hundreds of people have been left homeless, and the destruction of farmlands has compounded the region's agricultural losses.
Baghlan Women’s Medical Facility Closed – According to Afghan Green Trend, the Taliban have shut down the offices of the International Medical Corps (IMC) in Baghlan province, halting critical healthcare services for women, including gynecological care. All IMC staff, including 45 women, have been warned to stay home or face arrest. This closure will severely limit access to essential medical care for women in the region.
NEXT WEEK
Taliban checkpoints, house-to-house searches, and random phone checks are expected to continue in Kabul and other cities. Some searches were reported in PD 7, Kabul, on Sunday, and may persist. The situation in Badghis remains tense, and residents in the province should exercise caution. Weapons collections have begun in Panjshir, with potential searches also expected.
In the lead-up to the Moscow Conference in October, increased activity by resistance groups and ISKP is likely in Afghanistan, with a broader regional rise in ISIS activities.
The situation at the Pakistani and Iranian borders remains tense. Clashes are expected to continue following another week of confrontations between Pakistan and Taliban forces. Border crossings may close without warning, and residents in border areas could experience fighting or displacement. Iran is currently in a public mourning period for Hassan Nasrallah. Afghans in Iran should be aware that deportations are ongoing and should take extra care to blend in during this period of mourning.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Border Fence Construction Continues – Iran has fortified over 10 kilometers of its border with Afghanistan, with plans for another 50 kilometers. Amid an economic crisis, debate has intensified over the influx of up to 8 million Afghan migrants in three years. Iran continues deporting migrants, regardless of their legal status.
Public Mourning Period – On Saturday, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, declared five days of public mourning following the death of Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah.
Nimroz-Iran Border Closed – On Sunday, the Nimroz border was closed to travelers after Iranian border guards shot and wounded an Afghan citizen attempting to cross into Iran.
PAKISTAN
Afghans Arrested with Forged Documents – On Monday, three Afghan women were arrested at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi for attempting to travel to Germany using forged medical and business documents. They were handed over to the anti-human trafficking circle, and a case has been registered. Authorities are investigating the scope of the document forgery operation.
Sectarian Violence – Sectarian clashes in Pakistan's Kurram district left 37 dead and over 150 injured after six days of fighting between Sunni and Shiite tribes. Initially a land dispute, it escalated into a violent conflict involving heavy weaponry, damaging 28 houses. On Friday, a truce was reached with the help of local authorities and elders.
Proof Of Registration Program to Be Expanded – Pakistan is expanding its Proof of Registration (POR) card program for Afghan migrants, aiming to restore blocked cards. Federal Minister Amir Muqam urged international support for repatriation, criticized propaganda by Afghan migrants abroad, and pledged improvements for refugee camps. Pakistan's policy requiring undocumented Afghan migrants to leave has seen nearly 700,000 return amid international criticism.
Helicopter Crash – On Saturday, a helicopter chartered by Mari Petroleum crashed in Shewa, North Waziristan, carrying 14 people, including two foreigners. Six fatalities and eight critical injuries have been reported. The helicopter, with three Russian pilots, crashed due to a technical fault.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
An Avenue to Justice for Afghan Women
Fereshta Abbasi, Natasha Arnpriester, and Duru Yavan
In a tumultuous Afghanistan, the plight of women and girls has reached a critical juncture. The resurgence of the Taliban in power has not only reversed decades of progress on women’s rights in the country, but has also plunged Afghan women into yet another dark era of severe oppression and erasure.
The Taliban, as de facto authorities, are freely violating the international human rights treaties that Afghanistan has ratified, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW or the Convention). A chilling regime of systematic gender-based discrimination and violence now prevails. Women and girls are restricted in all facets of life and society, including their rights to freedom of movement, expression, and peaceful assembly, in addition to their rights to employment, political participation, health care, and education.
Afghanistan stands alone as the only state in the world that bars girls from secondary and higher education. Women throughout Afghanistan describe their situation as isolation and suffocation, drawing comparisons to ‘living in prison-like conditions’. United Nations mandate holders have concluded that ‘nowhere else in the world has there been an attack as widespread, systematic and all-encompassing on the rights of women and girls as in Afghanistan’.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban’s ban on Sufi-related broadcasts sparks backlash
Yasin Shayan
The Taliban’s decision to ban the broadcast of Sufi-related content in the media has drawn criticism from religious clerics and university professors in Afghanistan, who argue that the move stifles religious diversity and promotes intolerance.
The backlash followed an eight-point directive issued on Friday by Taliban Chief Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund, which prohibits debates among religious scholars on media platforms and specifically bans the broadcasting of Sufi topics.
Taliban criticizes closure of Afghanistan’s embassies
Amu TV
While Taliban recently declared the consulate services of 14 Afghan embassies as invalid, it has criticized the recent closure of Afghanistan’s embassies, including the one in the United Kingdom, arguing that tying consular services to political issues violates the rights of citizens.
The Taliban-run Foreign Ministry in a statement asserted that it is working through diplomatic channels to ensure consular services are available to Afghans living abroad, despite the lack of formal recognition of the Taliban government.
Herat money exchangers accuse Taliban of meddling in union election
Yasin Shayan
Money exchangers in Herat province have accused the Taliban of attempting to interfere in the election process for the provincial union of money exchangers, a body traditionally seen as an independent entity.
According to several exchangers, the Taliban’s Deputy Minister of Justice, Abdul Ghani Faiq, recently sent a voice message in which he named three candidates who were allegedly set to run for the union’s leadership. Faiq reportedly instructed the union to introduce new candidates instead, citing intelligence reports that questioned the suitability of the initial nominees.
“Based on intelligence information, all three individuals have been investigated and deemed unsuitable. You need to replace them with two or three other candidates,” Faiq said in the recording, which was shared with local media.
REGIONAL NEWS
Hassan Nasrallah, Who Led Hezbollah for Decades, Killed at 64
Neil MacFarquhar Ben Hubbard
Hassan Nasrallah, who led the militant Hezbollah organization in Lebanon for more than three decades and built it into a domestic political force and potent regional military power with ballistic missiles that could threaten Tel Aviv, was killed on Friday in heavy Israeli airstrikes just south of Beirut. He was 64.
Both Hezbollah and Israel announced his death on Saturday. Israeli officials had said that Mr. Nasrallah was the target of the attack, which rocked the area known as the Dahiya, a dense urban area south of the capital, with such violent force that residents fled in fear as a giant mushroom cloud rose over the city.
Lt. Gen. Muhammad Ali appointed as new Defense Secretary Pakistan
Daily AUSAF
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Lt. Gen. Muhammad Ali as the new Defense Secretary, effective October 1, 2024. This appointment is for a tenure of 2 years and 3 months, with Lt. Gen. Ali set to continue as Secretary till December 31, 2026, as announced by the Establishment Division.
Iran executes two Afghan nationals amid rising execution rates
Amu TV
Iran has executed two Afghan nationals in the past two weeks, according to a report by the Iran Human Rights Organization. The report states that the executions were carried out on charges of drug trafficking and premeditated murder.
The two Afghans were among 19 people executed in Iran during this period.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Charles Creitz
American taxpayer dollars would no longer be able to fund aid to Afghanistan until "wrongfully detained" U.S. citizens are released under new legislation drafted in the House.
The No Funding Without Freedom Act would also require the State Department to offer regular updates regarding unlawfully detained American citizens there.
Rep. Dan Meuser, a Pennsylvania Republican whose constituent Ryan Corbett is among those detained in the Taliban-controlled country, said the bill will cut off the billions transferred to Kabul since the "disastrous" 2021 withdrawal.
Biden defends Afghanistan withdrawal at UN, calls it a hard but necessary decision
Amu
In an address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, President Joe Biden defended his decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan, calling it a difficult but necessary choice to end America’s longest war.
“When I came to office, Afghanistan had replaced Vietnam as America’s longest war. I was determined to end it. And I did,” Biden told world leaders. “It was a hard decision, but the right decision.”
Biden acknowledged the losses that accompanied the withdrawal, including the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and hundreds of Afghans in a suicide bombing during the chaotic evacuation in 2021. He also honored the broader toll of the two-decade conflict, citing the 2,461 American military personnel who lost their lives and the more than 20,000 who were wounded in action.
World Bank provides over $1.7 billion in aid to Afghanistan
Amu TV
The World Bank said in a statement that since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, it has committed more than $1.7 billion in aid to support the Afghan people, with a focus on delivering critical services to women and girls.
According to the World Bank, all funds have been managed outside the control of the Taliban. “The funds remain outside the systems and control of the Taliban interim administration, ensuring that aid is directed toward those in need without bolstering the regime,” the organization emphasized.