Afghanistan International: The Afghanistan Freedom Front says its forces repelled several Taliban attacks in Zebak district of Badakhshan at around 10pm local time on Monday. The front said its forces launched counterattacks from two directions after repelling the Taliban assaults, forcing Taliban fighters to retreat after suffering casualties. Afghanistan Freedom Front said on Tuesday that five Taliban members were killed and four others wounded in the clashes, while its own forces suffered no casualties. Click here to read more (external link).
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Khaama: At least 33 Ismaili prayer halls in Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province were closed over the past three months, the United Nations said on Tuesday, raising fresh concerns over religious freedom and the rights of minority communities under the Taliban administration. The closures add to growing international scrutiny over the treatment of Afghanistan’s religious minorities since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. The United Nations and human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over restrictions affecting minority communities, including Ismaili and Shiite Muslim groups, and have called on the authorities to uphold freedom of religion and belief. 
Amu: Fighting between Taliban and the Freedom Front continued in parts of Badakhshan on Monday, according to local residents and sources within the Taliban, as clashes entered a second week. The latest clash follows more than a week of sporadic attacks by armed groups opposed to the Taliban across several districts of Badakhshan, one of the most sustained episodes of armed resistance in the province since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. 
Khaama: Afghan residents in Mazar-i-Sharif say intermediaries are demanding hundreds or thousands of dollars to arrange Iranian visas despite an announcement that visas for Afghan pilgrims travelling for Arbaeen would be issued free of charge under specified conditions, according to reports. 
Ariana: The Afghanistan Under-17 Champions League, which got underway this week in Kabul, is providing a platform for some of the country’s most promising young footballers as clubs from across the country compete for the national youth title while helping develop the next generation of talent. The tournament is designed to give under-17 players regular competitive match experience and create a pathway to senior club football and Afghanistan’s national youth teams. 
Ariana: Sayed Naseem Sadat, spokesperson for the Afghanistan Cricket Board, said on Sunday the national cricket team has arrived in Birmingham, England, to begin its preparations for the upcoming five-match ODI series against Ireland. The opening match of the series will be played on August 5 in Bready, Ireland.