Insider: An Afghan woman said a Taliban gunman struck her mom across the face after the group’s takeover, leaving a bruise. The two women were approached by the militants because they were outside without a male escort. Under the Taliban, women across Afghanistan are severely oppressed and deprived of opportunity. Click here to read more
Reuters: Hard-won gains in women’s rights over the last two decades have been quickly reversed, and reports from international rights experts and labour organisations this week painted a bleak picture for female employment and access to public space. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News: Heather Barr, associate women’s rights director at Human Rights Watch (HRW), in a special interview with TOLO news’ Hamid Bahram said the international community should “never recognize” the current Afghan government as long as it is imposing the “worst discrimination in the world” against women seeking an education. Click here to read more (external
Ariana: Biden suggested Wednesday there was nothing else that could have been done to bolster Afghan allies. “Raise your hand if you think anyone was going to be able to unify Afghanistan under one single government,” he said. “It’s been the graveyard of empires for a solid reason. It is not susceptible to unity.” Click
8am: The dismissal of the department’s experienced and professional staff and the appointment of Taliban members to these positions have provoked a sharp reaction among some citizens and civil activists in Herat. Click here to read more (external link).
8am: The intelligence department of the Taliban acting government has said that the media outlets should not spread false news and baseless rumors. The remarks came after reports of persecution and detention of female protesters in Kabul by the Taliban. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban leaders are working on turning their insurgent forces into a modern, standing army equipped with U.S.-made military gear that was seized during their takeover of Afghanistan in August. About 150 Taliban fighters recently graduated from commando training in Khost Province. With the exception of advanced aircraft, the Taliban has shown it can operate and
8am: “From now on, do not shave your beards, and put on a hat or a turban, and the females must wear hijab,” according to a statement issued by the Daikundi Department of Education. If the employees disobey the order, they will be dealt with legally, the statement stressed. Click here to read more (external
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty January 19, 2022 A Taliban commander and three other people were killed when a man opened fire on a vehicle in Afghanistan’s eastern Kunar Province, a local Taliban official said on January 19. The incident occurred in the Narang district of Kunar, the Taliban director of information and culture in the
Ariana: Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Special Representative of the President for Afghanistan’s Affairs, meanwhile told Tasnim news: “I express my appreciation for the fulfillment of the promise made by the esteemed IEA [Taliban] officials to release Water right of the Islamic Republic of Iran from the Kamal Khan Dam.” Click here to read more (external link).