The Week of September 9-15
Security and Conflict
ISKP Attack on Ghor-Daikundi Highway – On Thursday, 14 Hazara civilians were killed and six others injured in a shooting near the Daikundi-Ghor border. The victims, all male residents of the Qaryodali area in Sang Takht and Bandar districts of Daikundi, had gathered to welcome Karbala pilgrims. The attackers, described as four individuals on two motorcycles, stopped the victims' vehicle under the pretext of taking photographs, bound their hands, and opened fire. An injured survivor reported that 20 to 25 people were targeted. This incident follows a similar attack 40 days earlier and occurred despite recent Taliban assurances of security along the Daikundi-Ghor route. ISKP has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Cross Border Fighting – On Monday, fighting entered its third consecutive day between Pakistani border guards and the Taliban at the Kurram/Khost border, particularly in the Shoruko area of Lower Kurram and Zazi in Khost province. Both sides have exchanged heavy fire, with no signs of a ceasefire. Reports indicate that three Taliban members and two Pakistani guards have been killed, with nearly two dozen others wounded. On Tuesday, the fighting forced dozens of families in Khost's Zazi Maidan district to flee as Pakistani artillery reportedly destroyed homes. Pakistani sources claim 16 Taliban fighters have been killed, 27 wounded, and two tanks destroyed since September 7. Afghan sources report at least eight Taliban members killed and five wounded at a Pakistani security post. Fighting continued into Wednesday. No official statement was released on the end of conflict, though reports of skirmishes ended Wednesday evening.
Conflict in Ghazni – The Taliban have detained ten tribal leaders in Ghazni's Nawur district following a clash between Pashtuns and a Hazara shepherd, which left a Pashtun injured. The Taliban, siding with the Pashtuns, are demanding 2.7 million Afghanis in compensation. Local residents have condemned this as unjust and are seeking legal recourse.
Talib Beaten in Paktika – On Thursday, in Paktika’s Mata Khan district, a young man was killed by Taliban forces during a land dispute between two tribes. Mawlawi Javid Badri, the Taliban's security chief for the province, allegedly sided with one faction. In retaliation, locals severely beat him.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Women’s Protest Held in Kabul – On Wednesday, members of the "Afghan Women's History Transformation Movement" held a protest in western Kabul, demanding equal rights for men and women while condemning the Taliban's actions. Chanting slogans like "The Taliban commits crimes, the world supports them," the protesters emphasized their goal of overthrowing the Taliban. Despite the regime's suppression of women's protests, resistance continues. The protest concluded with a march through the streets of Kabul.
Taliban Start Campaign to Check Phones – The Taliban has launched a nationwide campaign to search phones at checkpoints across Afghanistan, officially to target "non-Islamic" content such as music. Reports suggest these searches also involve scrutinizing personal communications and installed apps, with individuals using encrypted apps like Signal facing arrest. This has raised concerns about increased control and monitoring of dissent.
Talib Arrested for Affair/Assault – Qari Samiullah, the Taliban's criminal director for Yangi Qala in Takhar, confessed to an extramarital sexual relationship, with reports suggesting repeated sexual assaults. Samiullah was arrested on September 7 at a Farkhar restaurant and is now jailed along with two women involved. Takhar residents accuse Taliban officials of abusing their power for illicit relationships, despite the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue enforcing strict societal restrictions.
Former ANSF Arrested – In Khost Farang district, Baghlan, the Taliban arrested Sayed Alam, a former Afghan army member accused of collaborating with the National Resistance Front. Alam had fled to Iran after the fall of the previous government but was deported. Despite the Taliban's claim of offering amnesty, there are continued reports of arrests and harm to former Afghan military personnel, which the Taliban deny.
Books Removed from Libraries – Taliban Education Minister Habibullah Agha instructed provincial education heads to inspect school libraries and remove books opposing Hanafi jurisprudence. Although the Taliban claim respect for all religions, critics argue their ideology is intolerant of non-Taliban beliefs, particularly Shia practices. Shia leaders have requested recognition of Jafari jurisprudence, but the Taliban have largely ignored their demands.
Flogging – The Taliban carried out 41 floggings across several provinces in the past two weeks. On Monday, a man was flogged in Paktika. On Thursday, a woman from Ghor and a man from Maidan Wardak were flogged. On Saturday, another man was flogged in Zabul.
Internal Politics
Mullah Hibatullah Visits North and East – Mullah Hibatullah has traveled to eight provinces over the past two weeks: Badghis, Faryab, Jowzjan, Sar-e Pol, Balkh (visited twice), Takhar, Kunduz, and Badakhshan. During his visits, he met with officials, scholars, and tribal leaders, emphasizing the need to prevent discord within the group. This marks his first trip to the northern and northeastern provinces.
Saleh’s Statement on TAPI – Former Vice President Amrullah Saleh criticized the recent inauguration of the TAPI gas pipeline project by the Taliban and Turkmenistan. He argued that, without a legitimate Afghan government, the project faces impractical legal and technical challenges. Saleh questioned the international recognition of the Taliban in managing such projects, describing TAPI as "a mound of ice" and emphasizing that major economic initiatives require both internal legitimacy and regional cooperation.
Uzbek Commander Leaves Taliban – On Wednesday, Salahuddin Ayubi, the Taliban police chief in Zabul, confirmed his resignation from the group due to personal and family reasons, including his father's death and the lack of a family caretaker. Ayubi, who played a key role in capturing the presidential palace and held several significant positions, had previously voiced dissatisfaction with Taliban policies and briefly left the group. He has since relocated his forces from Zabul to Kabul and moved to Faryab. His resignation has not been officially confirmed, and tensions with Sirajuddin Haqqani remain unclear. This departure has sparked rumors of ethnic minorities being sidelined by the Taliban and growing discontent.
Tajik Commander Resigns from Taliban – Abdul Qayum Sadaqat, a Tajik Taliban commander in Faryab, resigned from the group after being removed from his role as Deputy Security Chief of the provincial police. He had previously led the Taliban's Rapid Reaction Unit in Faryab and stepped down following the appointment of his successor.
Ministry of Interior Logistics Officer Fired – Mullah Yaqub Mujahid, the Taliban's Defense Minister, dismissed Abdul Basir Sabri, head of logistics, for making irresponsible remarks about acquiring Russian military equipment. Sabri, who was close to former Uzbek commander Salahuddin Ayubi, had claimed the Taliban sought Russian air defense systems. Mullah Yaqub appointed Abdul Qayum Elyas as Sabri's replacement. Taliban spokesperson Enayatullah Khwarazmi has denied the equipment purchase.
Khorasani Released – Abdul Hamid Khorasani, the former Taliban Badri unit commander, was released on Monday after 11 days in detention for remarks against Iran and Pakistan. His release was secured by senior Taliban officials following a formal complaint from Iran. Khorasani had incited Afghan youth in Iran to attack "oppressive" Iranians.
International Developments
Afghan Embassies to Close – Afghanistan's embassy in London will close on September 27 following its disownment by the Taliban and a request from the U.K. government. Similarly, the embassy in Oslo will cease operations on September 12 at Norway's official request.
Women’s Summit Held in Tirana – A three-day summit in Tirana, Albania, gathered around 120 Afghan women from various countries to address the Taliban’s oppressive policies and the violation of women’s rights. Participants discussed gender apartheid, political solutions, and strategies for empowering Afghan women in international dialogues. Despite some protests about engaging with the Taliban, attendees unanimously rejected such interactions and advocated for the regime’s overthrow. The summit focused on amplifying Afghan women’s voices in shaping Afghanistan’s future, emphasizing human rights, justice, and accountability. Albania’s Foreign Minister affirmed support for Afghan women’s resistance against Taliban oppression.
Freedom of the Press
Taliban block Afghanistan International Broadcast – The Taliban has disrupted Afghanistan International's broadcasts through satellite jamming, starting on September 5. The network condemned this as a violation of media freedom and introduced a new frequency to counter the interference. Afghanistan International accused the Taliban of systematically attempting to suppress independent media and called on the international community to condemn these actions and ensure that Afghan access to uncensored information is protected.
Regional Developments
Taliban Ask Afghans to Return – On Wednesday, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's spokesperson, urged Afghan migrants in Iran to return home and called on Iran to respect their rights, warning that pressure would not be effective. This request followed Iran's Interior Minister urging Afghan migrants to return due to capacity issues. Mujahid claimed that Western countries delaying recognition of the Taliban are driven by resentment. He also addressed women’s education, suggesting that religious texts need revision, and defended the Taliban’s inclusivity despite calls for broader representation. Mujahid downplayed threats from ISIS and al-Qaeda, denying reports of their infiltration within the Taliban, even as the UN and U.S. officials report otherwise. Numerous former ANSF members and government employees have been detained, tortured, and killed upon their return from Iran.
Pakistan Special Envoy to Afghanistan Dismissed – Asif Durrani, Pakistan's Special Envoy for Afghanistan, was removed from his position on Tuesday after serving for over a year. Appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in June 2023, Durrani played a key role in diplomatic efforts with the Taliban amid fluctuating relations due to security and border issues.
Acting Minister Of Culture to Attend Russian Conference – Khayrullah Khairkhwa, the Taliban's Minister of Information and Culture and a UN sanctions list member, traveled to Russia for a conference. Recent months have seen increased foreign travel by Taliban officials, including Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan and others, to countries like Russia, Qatar, and the UAE, despite being blacklisted by the UN.
Miscellaneous
OCHA Report Indicates Taliban Interfering with Aid – The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported significant Taliban interference in aid operations in Afghanistan, leading to the suspension of 59 projects in July 2024 alone. The Taliban have engaged in physical confrontations with aid workers and interfered in hiring and procurement processes, with 106 incidents of violence reported, including 20 gender-related cases. OCHA highlighted widespread poverty, with 50% of Afghans living in poverty and 80% earning less than a dollar a day. The World Food Programme warned that 12.4 million Afghans will face severe food insecurity by October due to underfunded humanitarian efforts.The full report can be found here
Female Polio Vaccinators Barred from Work – Sources told Afghanistan International that the Taliban has barred female staff from participating in a house-to-house polio vaccination campaign in Kabul. Approximately 250 female vaccinators were prevented from joining the campaign due to strict conditions, including the requirement for women to be accompanied by a male guardian and wear full Islamic dress. These restrictions have reportedly hindered access to polio vaccines for many children. Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only countries where polio continues to affect children.
Increased Childhood Death from Malnutrition – Health sources in Nangarhar report that at least 700 children have died from malnutrition and seasonal illnesses in the past six months. Malnutrition is the primary cause of these deaths. The provincial hospital, overwhelmed with children from Jalalabad and surrounding districts, is struggling with insufficient capacity. UNICEF forecasts that 2.9 million children in Afghanistan will suffer from malnutrition this year, with 850,000 facing severe cases.
UK Promises Aid – TThe U.K. has pledged £6 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF) for 2024-2025, raising its total contributions since 2014 to over £304 million. This funding addresses urgent winter preparedness needs, with OCHA identifying $104 million required immediately to assist 24 million people in need of humanitarian support.
New District Created in Badakhshan – Local Taliban officials in Badakhshan have announced the creation of a new district in the Pamirs region. A delegation assessed local challenges, and the Taliban governor approved the new district in the "Little Pamir," a remote area currently lacking basic amenities for its residents.
NEXT WEEK
Taliban checkpoints, house-to-house searches, and random phone checks are expected to continue following last week’s increased resistance attacks and the ISKP attack. Exercise caution with cell phone use, especially with messaging apps and social media. Important documents should always be secured.
The Pakistan border may experience additional fighting, and border crossings could close without warning. The border areas, particularly Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have recently seen heavy attacks that are likely to persist. Residents in these areas should be cautious with their movements
Iran and Pakistan will likely continue their crackdowns and deportations of Afghans for the foreseeable future.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iran to Deport 2 Million Afghans – Iranian police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan announced plans to deport around 2 million undocumented foreigners, mostly Afghans, within six months. This follows ongoing debates about the high number of Afghan migrants, with estimates ranging from 4 to 8 million. The government aims to address irregular migration through stricter measures and infrastructure, including a planned border wall. Amid increasing hostility and protests against migrants, activists call for solidarity and caution against scapegoating.
Afghan Executed on Drug Charges – Noor Mohammad Noorzi, an Afghan citizen from Nimroz, was executed in Zahedan, Iran, on Monday, along with five others, on drug trafficking charges. He was arrested in 2022 at the Milak border.
New Sanctions Imposed – On Tuesday, the E3 (France, UK, and Germany) announced new measures against Iran in response to its transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia. The sanctions include canceling bilateral air services agreements with Iran, targeting entities and individuals linked to Iran's missile program, and seeking sanctions on Iran Air.
Afghan Migrants Detained — This week, Iranian police in Iranshahr detained hundreds of undocumented Afghan and Baloch citizens, transferring them to a camp for deportation, according to the human rights watchdog Halwash. Military forces patrolled the area, arresting Afghan migrants and Baloch workers. Many undocumented Baloch citizens have been deported following protests in the Balochistan region.
Afghans Attacked in Yazd – On Saturday, unidentified individuals attacked a group of Afghan migrants in Yazd, Iran, injuring at least two people. Despite reporting the incident to local police, the migrants said the authorities ignored the issue. Videos show two young men with leg injuries, and a medical team arrived to provide treatment.
PAKISTAN
ISKP Attack – On Monday, a bomb targeting a vehicle carrying workers from the Pakistan Polio Programme in Wana, South Waziristan, injured three polio workers and three policemen. The ISKP claimed responsibility for this attack and a previous one in Karikot, South Waziristan, where an IED exploded on a van protecting polio workers, injuring six police officers and seven civilians. While ISKP attacks outside Bajaur are rare, these incidents may signal a troubling new trend if they continue.
ISPP Attack Kills 2 Police – An IED blast targeting officials in Kuchlak near Quetta killed two policemen and injured another. The Islamic State's Pakistan chapter claimed responsibility for the attack. Balochistan’s Chief Minister and Pakistan's Interior Minister condemned the attack, paying tribute to the fallen officers and underscoring the nation’s commitment to eradicating terrorism.
Defense Minister Statement on TTP Discussions – Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif condemned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur's proposal to negotiate directly with the Afghan Taliban, describing it as an attack on the federal system. Gandapur, frustrated by increasing TTP attacks, plans to send a delegation to Afghanistan for talks despite Islamabad's opposition. Asif emphasized that direct negotiations with other countries are unauthorized.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul released a report on the Biden-Harris administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan, criticizing it for failing to plan for the collapse of the Afghan government. The report highlights that inadequate planning led to a chaotic evacuation, risking lives and damaging U.S. credibility. It also notes that the administration's failure resulted in casualties and emboldened adversaries. McCaul accuses congressional Democrats of providing political cover and expresses frustration over the lack of cooperation from the Biden administration in providing necessary documents and testimony. The full report can be found here
The Minority Response can be found here
The State Department response can be found here
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghanistan Begins Work on TAPI Pipeline
Isabel Stagg
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan have now begun construction of the Afghan section of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) natural gas pipeline.
To mark the launch of work on the pipeline’s Serhetabat-Herat section, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the Prime Minister of the Taliban-led Afghan government, attended a ceremony at a checkpoint on the Turkmen-Afghan border on 11 September 2024.
Taliban warns critics of laws will be referred to court
Amu TV
The Taliban-run Ministry of Justice announced on Thursday that any criticism of laws and legislative documents approved by its leader will be treated as “objections to Sharia” and those who speak out will be referred to court.
In a statement released by the ministry, it asserted that all laws enacted by the Taliban are “entirely in accordance with Sharia,” and any opposition to them is deemed unacceptable.
The ministry further warned that individuals who criticize these laws, either in the media or in public forums, with the intention of undermining or opposing them, will face legal action.
REGIONAL NEWS
Afghan migrants in Iran face increasing restrictions as deportations loom
Zabihullah Doorandish
Afghan migrants in Iran are reporting mounting restrictions and growing fears of deportation, as the Iranian government moves forward with a plan to expel millions of undocumented migrants. According to senior Iranian officials, a new proposal governing the status of Afghan migrants is expected to be reviewed by Iran’s parliament in the coming days.
Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s National Security Commission, stated that the plan would give the government broader authority over Afghan migrants’ affairs. “The scheme will go through various stages of parliament, and once approved, it will grant the government authority to regulate Afghan migrants,” Azizi said. He added that undocumented migrants would face severe consequences if they fail to comply with deportation orders.
Pakistan Among Countries With Highest Exposure to Conflict
Amin Ahmed
Pakistan is among the countries with the highest exposure to conflict and is also among the 15 countries with the highest disaster risk, according to the World Risk Index 2024 report published on Monday.
Pakistan, which was pushed out of the top 10 by Russia last year, has now replaced China, while Mexico and Colombia have swapped ranks. The composition of the 10 countries with the highest vulnerability scores is similar, with Afghanistan returning this year to a group that consisted exclusively of African countries last year.
The full report, including information on Afghanistan can be found here
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
US Office of the Inspector General Releases Fiscal Year Report on SIV Cases
The full report can be read here
UN Human Rights Council to address Afghanistan at upcoming session
Zabihullah Doorandish
The 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council is set to convene in Geneva on Monday, with Afghanistan expected to be a focal point of the discussions.
During the session, Richard Bennett, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, and Afghanistan’s permanent representative to the Human Rights Council, will present their fourth report on the state of human rights in the country under Taliban rule.
Mohibullah Tayeb, a human rights official at Afghanistan’s permanent mission to the U.N. in Geneva, expressed hope that the session will galvanize international attention. “Over the next month, we will host several global meetings to draw attention to the human rights situation in Afghanistan,” he said. “We hope this session meets the expectations of the Afghan people and that we can make progress in curbing further human rights abuses.”
Taliban quietly released four GIZ employees in the spring, report reveals
Amu TV
Taliban quietly released four local employees of the German development organization GIZ this past spring, according to recent German media reports, though news of their release is only now coming to light. The employees had been detained in November 2023, but the reasons for their arrest remain unclear.
The German government has not yet commented officially on the release, citing concerns for the safety of GIZ staff who remain in Afghanistan. GIZ had announced its decision to withdraw from Afghanistan due to escalating security risks but pledged to continue supporting the country through local organizations.
Australia strips medals from commanders over Afghanistan war crimes
Amu TV
Several current and former Australian military commanders have been stripped of medals in response to allegations of war crimes committed during the Afghanistan war, Defense Minister Richard Marles announced Thursday.
The decision follows recommendations from Maj. Gen. Paul Brereton’s investigation into misconduct by Australian special forces between 2005 and 2016. Brereton’s report found that around 25 soldiers from the Special Air Service Regiment and Commando Regiment were involved in the unlawful killings of 39 Afghans.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 69.66 AFN (as of 15 September 2024)
