The Week of September 8-14
Security and Conflict
Taliban Intelligence Chief Killed in Kunar – On Saturday, an explosion killed Shabir Ahmad, the Taliban intelligence chief for Shigal district in Kunar, along with his young son. Sources said the blast occurred inside Ahmad’s home while he was handling explosives, when a mortar shell detonated. His son died instantly, and Ahmad later succumbed to his injuries in hospital. His brother was also wounded. Local Taliban officials have not issued statements.
UN Report on Security Incidents – Between May 1 and July 31, 2025, the UN documented 2,658 security incidents in Afghanistan, a 9% increase from the same period last year. The report noted a decline in ISIS-K attacks, though clashes persisted in Kunar, Nangarhar, Badakhshan, and Laghman, including assassinations of religious leaders. Five anti-Taliban groups — the Freedom Front, National Resistance Front, Afghanistan Liberation Movement, People’s Sovereignty Front, and National Mobilization Front — claimed 47 attacks, of which the UN verified 19. Additionally, 57 threats and incidents targeted UN staff, with dozens of female employees threatened with death in May.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Taliban Bar Women From UN Kabul Compound – Taliban authorities have barred women from entering UN compounds in Kabul since Sunday, sources told the organization. Female employees and visitors were stopped at UNOCA and ordered to leave, with similar restrictions enforced Monday at the UN’s Baron compound. The Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice is reportedly enforcing the ban under orders from the Taliban’s supreme leader.
Taliban Block Shia Celebration of Prophet’s Birthday – On Monday, Taliban authorities in Bamiyan blocked a planned Shia religious gathering where senior cleric Ayatollah Waezzada Behsudi was scheduled to speak, local sources said. Provincial intelligence briefly detained the organizer before releasing him, but the event was canceled. Officials accused organizers of plotting a “conspiracy against the regime,” though no formal explanation was given. Behsudi, a vocal critic of Taliban policies, has frequently condemned restrictions on Shia practices and the detention of women and girls.
Taliban Beat Woman at Checkpoint – On September 7, Taliban forces severely beat a woman at a checkpoint on the Badakhshan–Takhar road. The incident occurred after fighters ordered women in a car to remove their veils. When one protested, she was assaulted and later hospitalized with visible injuries.
Activist Detained in Balkh – Around a month ago, Taliban intelligence agents in Balkh detained Hamid Ansari, a civil activist, university lecturer, and head of Northern Youth for Peace, over alleged uncoordinated work with UNAMA. His family has been denied access since the arrest, and his whereabouts remain unknown. Taliban officials in Balkh have not commented on the case.
Floggings – On Tuesday, two men were flogged in Ghazni. On Wednesday, one man and one woman were flogged in Laghman, one man and one woman in Mazar, and 14 men in Kabul. On Thursday, four women and seven men were flogged in Takhar.
Three Arrested for Witchcraft – On Monday, the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue reported arresting three people in Balkh and Nangarhar on charges of sorcery. Officials called them “fraudsters” and claimed to have seized magical books and tools.
Russian Ethnographer Released – Russian ethnographer Svyatoslav Kaverin, detained by the Taliban in Kunduz on July 19 over alleged jewelry smuggling, has been released after six weeks and returned to Moscow, RIA Novosti reported. Affiliated with the Russian Academy of Sciences, he confirmed his release to family members. Officials gave no details on the proceedings.
Internal Politics
Interpol Offices Dissolved – On Tuesday, a new decree indicated that Interpol offices within Afghanistan’s Interior and Foreign Ministries have been dissolved, effectively terminating their activities. While the order has circulated publicly, Taliban government spokespersons have not officially confirmed the move.
Former GDI Counterintelligence Official Named as Panjshir Intelligence Chief – On Wednesday, a special decree reportedly appointed Dr. Bashir as head of the Taliban’s Intelligence Directorate in Panjshir, though no official confirmation has been issued. Pro-Taliban accounts promoted the claim amid reports he was previously dismissed as counterintelligence chief. Nicknamed the “butcher of Daesh,” Dr. Bashir is viewed as a controversial figure and allegedly out of favor with Taliban leadership.
Staff Reductions Continue – On Thursday, the Taliban launched a new 10% staff reduction in the Ministries of Defense and Industry and Commerce, following an earlier directive ordering a 20% cut across public offices. Both ministries must now identify employees for dismissal, signaling continued downsizing within public institutions under Taliban governance. Sources confirmed the directive’s enforcement.
Mullah Baradar Visits Kunar – On Friday, Taliban Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Baradar visited Kunar province, 12 days after a deadly earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan. He urged the international community to lift sanctions, saying they hinder relief efforts. Baradar claimed the Taliban responded promptly despite limited resources and pledged reconstruction support.
Jamiat-e Islami Creates Decision making Council – On Monday, Afghanistan’s Jamiat-e Islami replaced its single leadership with a Supreme Decision-Making Council to guide political, military, and civil resistance against the Taliban. Key figures include Atta Mohammad Noor, Mohammad Ismail Khan, Ahmad Massoud, Yunus Qanooni, and Hazrat Ali, though Salahuddin Rabbani remains absent, reflecting internal divisions. Sources say Rabbani rejected reconciliation efforts. The council pledged a new roadmap focused on unity among anti-Taliban forces, stressing coordinated resistance as essential for Afghanistan’s political future.
Nimruz to Move Capitals – On Thursday, Nimruz authorities announced plans to relocate the provincial capital from Zaranj to Ghorghori, citing economic, environmental, and political challenges in Zaranj. The transfer will proceed in two phases, aiming to improve governance and living conditions.
International Developments
UNHCR 60th Session – On Monday, at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett warned that Afghanistan’s worsening human rights crisis under the Taliban must not be treated as a “lost cause.” He urged sustained pressure, accountability, and recognition of gender apartheid as a crime, stressing that women’s rights remain central. Afghan envoy Nasir Andisha said arbitrary arrests—especially of returnees—are routine, while UN rights chief Volker Türk warned of the near-total erasure of women from public life, high maternal mortality, and forced returns from Pakistan and Iran. Türk urged all states to uphold refugee protections and international law.
UNHCR Pauses Cash Assistance – On Tuesday, in response to the Taliban banning female UN workers, UNHCR temporarily closed cash-assistance centers for returnees in Kabul, Herat, Kandahar, and Nangarhar. Offices in Torkham and Islam Qala also closed and are no longer providing cash support. A total of eight offices are shut. The closures hinder aid delivery, particularly for women who rely on female staff. UNHCR said the ban prevents fair and safe assistance but stressed that other operations continue. Talks with the Taliban are underway, though no reopening timeline has been set.
Khalilzad and US Officials Meet with Taliban – On Saturday, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met in Kabul with U.S. envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler and former diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad, urging normalized relations and expanded cooperation. Talks covered bilateral ties, investment, and prisoner issues, with both sides emphasizing continued dialogue. Deputy PM Abdul Ghani Baradar also met the delegation, calling for engagement over confrontation. Boehler highlighted implementation of the Doha Agreement and discussed prospects for a prisoner exchange. This was the delegation’s second visit to Kabul since 2021.
Afghan Women Leaders ask For Independent Human Rights Mechanism – At the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session in Geneva, Afghan women’s advocates, UN experts, and rights bodies urged the creation of an independent investigative mechanism for Afghanistan, warning that Taliban abuses will persist without accountability. Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett and women’s rights leaders Maryam Safi and Zubaida Akbar said such a body should investigate violations, preserve evidence, and support prosecutions. CEDAW’s Nahla Haidar described Taliban policies as “institutionalized gender persecution” and backed a special UN mechanism. Speakers highlighted Afghan women’s courage and urged states to strengthen justice efforts, citing ICC warrants and ongoing international legal cases.
Taliban Officials Travel to Austria – On Friday, a five-member Taliban delegation visited Austria for talks with the foreign and interior ministries on Afghan diplomatic missions and consular services in Europe. Sources said discussions focused on regulating embassy operations and services for Afghans abroad. Austria’s Interior Ministry confirmed that a Taliban delegation visited Vienna to help the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum identify over 20 Afghan nationals for potential deportation to Afghanistan.
Freedom of the Press
Ban on Moving Image on TV in Balkh – On Tuesday, the Taliban banned broadcasting live images on television in Balkh. Balkh National TV now airs only audio with a fixed image, and its internet and advertising services have been suspended. Private channels also face severe restrictions, with some forced to shut down.
Ban on Filming in Kandahar – On Tuesday, the Taliban’s Department for the Promotion of Virtue in Kandahar ordered a complete halt to activities by YouTubers and social-media creators. At a meeting led by Abdul Karim Faqir, artists were told to stop producing videos or performances or face consequences. After the directive, some YouTubers announced their final posts, citing Article 17 of the Taliban’s Virtue Law, which bans broadcasting images of living beings.
Newly Appointed Kabul Police Chief Threatens Journalists – In a farewell speech delivered in Paktia this week, senior Taliban commander Omar Mokhles, newly appointed as police chief for Kabul’s District 3, labeled journalists “traitors” and admitted Taliban fighters had sought to kill them before they fled abroad. In a video, he said, “We wanted to kill the media workers, but they escaped.” Mokhles also dismissed reports of discontent over his reassignment and reiterated hostility toward journalists, accusing them of treason.
Kunar Police Chief Threatens Journalists – On Monday, the Taliban’s police chief in Kunar threatened local journalists, warning them not to report complaints from earthquake survivors about inadequate aid. Reporters were told that publishing such accounts would be seen as portraying authorities negatively and could lead to imprisonment. Journalists say these restrictions prevent coverage of survivors’ hardships and have fueled criticism from affected families. Taliban officials have not commented.
Regional Developments
SCO Meeting Held – On Wednesday, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began a two-day consultative meeting on Afghanistan in Dushanbe. Discussions focused on Afghanistan’s impact on regional stability, security cooperation, women’s rights, and counterterrorism. SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev said member states share a consensus on Afghanistan’s challenges, and the meeting emphasized engagement with the Taliban and security issues.
Pakistan Envoy to Travel to Kbbul Related to TTP Claims – Pakistani media report that Special Envoy Mohammad Sadiq Khan will travel to Kabul next week to press the Taliban over alleged support for Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Islamabad claims the TTP operates from Afghan safe havens with external backing and has shared evidence with the Taliban. A recent UN report echoed these concerns, stating the Taliban provide logistical and financial support to the group. Despite repeated talks, Pakistan says the Taliban have not stopped TTP’s cross-border activities.
Taliban Police Delegation Travel To China – On Sunday, a Taliban border police delegation, led by Abdul Manan Hassan, visited China to attend the “Migration Management Cooperation” meeting, focusing on border threats and travel facilitation. The visit follows Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s Kabul talks with Sirajuddin Haqqani on shared border security, coordination, and counter-narcotics cooperation.
US Visa Processing Information
SIV Case Transfer Updates –Applicants wishing to transfer SIV cases must contact the National Visa Center (NVC) to request a transfer to a third-country embassy by using the Public Inquiry Form found HERE or by email at NVCSIV@State.gov. NVC will review requests and determine whether the requested embassy is currently accepting SIV cases.
SIV Processing – SIV cases remain exempt from the U.S. travel ban. CARE flights have stopped and will not resume. Applicants whose cases are interview-ready must continue processing in a third country and bear all related costs, including travel, medical exams, accommodations, and onward travel to the United States. They must also maintain valid legal status (e.g., a visa) in the host country. Before requesting a transfer, applicants should research visa processing times, living costs, and the feasibility of renewals. Many embassies face significant backlogs and are rejecting transfers. Do not relocate until you have written confirmation from both NVC and the U.S. embassy approving your transfer and interview date. Applicants may wish to obtain multi-entry visas to nearby countries for added flexibility. Note: Dushanbe is not currently accepting SIV cases.
Pacito V Trump Updates – More than 100,000 refugees remain stranded overseas due to the Trump administration’s indefinite refugee ban, including about 14,000 whose travel was canceled despite prior approval. Last week, the Ninth Circuit heard arguments in Pacito v. Trump, an expedited case that may soon determine the ban’s legality and whether a lower court’s framework to resume processing can move forward. Meanwhile, Afrikaners continue to be admitted through a fast-tracked process under a February executive order.
Travel Ban – The Trump administration’s travel ban for Afghans remains in effect. Afghans, including Green Card holders, are urged not to travel abroad, as they may face difficulties reentering the U.S.
NEXT WEEK
In Afghanistan, the growing number of returnees from Pakistan and Iran is placing additional pressure on already fragile systems. Many are likely to face serious challenges with housing, education, access to food and water, and medical care. The influx is driving up rents and worsening shortages of medicine and food as deportations continue. Despite Taliban claims, rents keep rising and work opportunities remain limited.
While there have been no confirmed targeted killings of former republic officials, former ANSF or ANP members, or resistance fighters, anyone linked to those groups should remain cautious. Recently returned individuals from Iran or Pakistan—especially those at higher risk—should exercise extreme vigilance. Afghans in Pakistan and Iran who face possible deportation are advised to lock their social media accounts and clear their internet and message histories.
New image restrictions, including the full ban on moving images in Kandahar and threats against journalists, indicate broader risks to rights. Such measures have often been followed by increased human rights abuses, which may become increasingly difficult to verify.
In Pakistan, detentions and deportations of PoR card holders are escalating, with house-to-house searches reported in several cities. Afghans are urged to limit unnecessary movement, as even those with valid visas may face detention or extortion.
In Iran, census cards are no longer valid, and Afghans without proper visas risk deportation. They are strongly advised to obtain legal visas whenever possible and to travel cautiously.
In the United States, ICE detentions continue. The U.S. Supreme Court recently lifted an injunction that had barred immigration officials from stopping people based on race, language, or occupation; ICE may now stop individuals based on language spoken or appearance. Afghans should carry proof of legal status at all times. Although enforcement is mainly focused on individuals with criminal records, all Afghans should understand their rights if questioned or detained. More information about these rights is available here.
USCIS has also announced a new “good moral character” requirement for green card holders applying for naturalization. This may include social-media reviews, neighborhood checks, and other “anti-Americanism” screenings. Afghans in the U.S. are encouraged to keep their social-media accounts private and to use caution when posting publicly.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Deportations of Afghans – The Taliban-run Commission for Refugees reported that 32,279 Afghans were deported from Iran this week. The returnees, some forcibly and others voluntarily, entered Afghanistan through the Islam Qala and Pul-e Abrisham crossings.
Afghans Shot at Border Crossing – On Monday, Iranian border guards opened fire on about 120 Afghan migrants crossing into Sistan-Baluchestan’s Golshan district, killing six and wounding five, rights group Haalvsh reported Tuesday. Victims included women and children, and heavy weapons were allegedly used without warning. Around 40 migrants were detained after the shooting.
Afghans Executed in Iran – Human rights groups report that more than 50 Afghan citizens have been executed in Iran so far this year, mostly on drug and murder charges. Iran Human Rights documented at least 49 Afghans among 864 executions in the first eight months of 2025, while Hengaw cited 59. Both groups noted that Afghans represent the largest share of foreign nationals executed, and families fear many face execution without fair trials or legal representation.
PAKISTAN
Increased Deportations – According to the Taliban-run Commission for Refugees, 65,724 Afghans were deported from Pakistan this week. The migrants, including families, crossed back into Afghanistan via Torkham, Spin Boldak, and Bahramcha.
Raids on Afghans in German Housing – Afghan refugees in Islamabad reported violent police raids on hotels housing families accepted under German resettlement programs. Witnesses said armed officers stormed hotels in the F-8 district and elsewhere over five days, detaining men, women, and children, often beating residents and preventing them from collecting belongings. Detainees were transferred to Haji Camp.
Attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi – On Wednesday, at least 11 Pakistani security personnel were killed in multiple attacks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi. Seven soldiers died and 13 were injured during operations in Dir district, while two policemen were shot in North Waziristan, and others were killed in Peshawar and Karachi. Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department also reported killing four militants in Balochistan. Authorities blame cross-border fighters from Afghanistan, though the Taliban deny the allegations.
Attack in Waziristan – On Saturday, at least 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed and four wounded when TTP militants ambushed a military convoy in South Waziristan, seizing weapons before fleeing, officials said. The attack, one of the deadliest in months, highlights surging violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Nearly 460 security personnel have been killed in militant attacks this year, following last year’s decade-high toll of more than 1,600 fatalities.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Nima
Following the deadly earthquake in Kunar province, several countries and international organizations have announced emergency aid and allocated cash assistance beyond their initial declarations. Based on official statements from donor countries and various United Nations agencies, more than $29 million US dollars has been allocated so far to assist earthquake victims in this province. Alongside cash assistance, hundreds of tons of emergency aid cargo have also been sent to Kunar by these countries and organizations. This assistance includes food, medicine, shelter, and relief equipment for earthquake victims. However, Taliban restrictions and prohibitions on the activities of female aid workers have created serious challenges for the rescue process and improvement of conditions for victims, particularly women and children. Additionally, reports have emerged of neglect toward the urgent needs of thousands of pregnant and injured women, which has intensified concerns about aid management and the possibility of Taliban interference or misappropriation in the distribution process.
The total cash assistance from countries and international organizations to the Kunar earthquake victims amounts to more than $29.3 million. According to published reports, Germany provided 2.1 million euros, the United Nations $15 million, Australia $1 million, China $7 million, the Red Cross $200,000, the European Union 1 million euros, South Korea $1 million, Britain 1 million pounds, Ireland $500,000, and İHH Turkey $100,000 US dollars to assist Kunar earthquake victims.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban Move Mohammad Ali Jinnah Hospital from West Kabul
Kabul Now
Taliban authorities have transferred the equipment and facilities of the state-run Mohammad Ali Jinnah Hospital from the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood in western Kabul to the Arzan Qeemat area in the east of the capital, according to local sources.
Witnesses said the relocation process began two days earlier, but on Wednesday, September 10, the bulk of the hospital’s equipment was moved, leaving the facility now empty.
REGIONAL NEWS
Former Afghan Jihadi Commander Close to Ismail Khan Assassinated in Iran’s Mashhad
Kabul Now
Maroof Ghulami, a former jihadi commander and longtime ally of Ismail Khan, was assassinated in Iran’s Mashhad city on Saturday, sources have confirmed.
A relative of Ghulami told KabulNow that he was shot dead in his office on Mufatteh Street. According to the account, Ghulami—also known as Haji Maroof Khan—had several guests in his office at the time, and the assailant was among them, posing as a visitor.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 68.03 AFN (As of September 14)