US Warns UN That ISIS-K Continues to Exploit Instability in Afghanistan

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ISIS trainees

Khaama: The United States has warned the United Nations Security Council that the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) continues to exploit instability in Afghanistan and remains a serious threat to regional security, despite Taliban assertions that the group has been largely defeated. Addressing a Security Council session on global terrorism, U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations Tammy Bruce said combating ISIS, al-Qaeda and their affiliates remains one of Washington’s highest counterterrorism priorities. Click here to read more (external link).

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Taliban’s Cyber Force: Why Do They Operate Under Girls’ Names?

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8am: A number of the country’s citizens say the Taliban have created accounts on social media using girls’ names and photos, and use these accounts to promote the group and defend its conduct. According to them, these accounts tend to become more active whenever reports are published about oppression, rape, killing, corruption, and other Taliban actions, and their operators try to justify these matters or target critics of the Taliban. These citizens also say that, alongside creating fake accounts, Taliban intelligence and security bodies financially support hundreds of YouTube channels and, in some cases, direct the operators of these channels to reflect the views the Taliban wants promoted. Meanwhile, a former deputy minister of information and culture says the use of pseudonyms and fake accounts is part of the Taliban’s effort to continue what he calls “lying and deceiving the people.” According to him, this method is used to deny facts, censor information, and manipulate public opinion. Click here to read more (external link).

Afghanistan beat New Zealand 6-1 to finish Continental Futsal Cup

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Amu: Afghanistan’s national futsal team defeated New Zealand 6-1 on Thursday to conclude its campaign at the 2026 Continental Futsal Cup in Thailand. Afghanistan finished the competition with one win, one draw and two defeats in four matches. The team lost to Thailand and Vietnam, drew with Russia, and closed the tournament with the victory over New Zealand. Click here to read more (external link).

Five Years of Taliban Rule: Consolidation Without Consent

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Afghanistan International: As the Taliban complete five years in power this August, two confident predictions made in the autumn of 2021 have both aged badly. The first was that the movement, unable to govern, would fracture within a season. The second, its mirror image, was that whoever governed Afghanistan would eventually be disciplined by the ordinary requirements of statecraft — revenue, recognition, neighbours — into moderation. Neither happened. Click here to read more (external link).

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Fighters Are Ready To Battle Taliban, Says Fatemiyoun Commander

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Afghanistan International: A Fatemiyoun Division commander told Afghanistan International on Tuesday that he and hundreds of fighters under his command were ready to fight the Taliban. The commander said that any anti-Taliban group able to provide sufficient resources could mobilise hundreds of his fighters under its banner for operations against the group. The Fatemiyoun commander, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said remarks by Seyed Hassan Mortazavi, Iran’s deputy ambassador in Kabul, that Tehran did not regard war against the Taliban as “resistance” had angered Fatemiyoun fighters. Afghanistan’s Hazaras and Shias, who make up a large proportion of Fatemiyoun members, continue to face security and legal challenges under Taliban rule. Click here to read more (external link).

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Taliban Officials’ Visit To Moldova Triggers Political Storm

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RFE/RL: A visit by officials from Afghanistan’s unrecognized Taliban government to Moldova has triggered a political storm in the small Eastern European country. Three officials from the Taliban’s Agriculture Ministry arrived in Chisinau on August 3 for a dayslong visit after they were granted visas. Click here to read more (external link).

First Afghanistan-Ireland ODI abandoned without a ball bowled

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Ariana: The opening One-Day International between Afghanistan and Ireland was abandoned without a ball being bowled after persistent rain left conditions unplayable at Bready Cricket Club in Northern Ireland on Wednesday. The match was scheduled to begin at 10:45am local time (1:30pm Kabul time), but continuous rain prevented the toss from taking place. Click here to read more (external link).

Taliban Intelligence Member Killed In Faryab, Says United Front

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Afghanistan International: The United Front of Afghanistan says it killed a Taliban intelligence member in Qaisar district of Faryab during its latest operation. In a statement accompanied by a video, the front said oppression, abuse and violations of Afghans’ dignity and honour will not go unanswered. The United Front said on Tuesday, 4 August, that the Taliban member had been killed in Qaisar district. Click here to read more (external link).