Amu: Afghanistan defeated Ireland by 92 runs in the second One-Day International on Friday, with Rashid Khan claiming six wickets to lead a dominant all-round performance and give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Afghanistan will look to extend their advantage when the teams meet in the third ODI as the five-match series continues in Northern Ireland. Click here to read more (external link).
The Beginning of the End of Taliban 2.0 in Afghanistan
Taliban militants (file photo)
Afghanistan International: The recent attack by the Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF), in which its forces took control of parts of Zebak district in Badakhshan, has challenged the perception of the Taliban as an invincible military force. The operation followed the temporary seizure of Yaftal district on 17 July 2026 by Sepaheyan-e-Maihan (“Soldiers of the Motherland”), a newly emerged local armed group. For the first time in almost five years since the Taliban returned to power, an opposition group—in this case, the AFF—not only captured territory from the Taliban but also held it while successfully repelling multiple. Click here to read more (external link).
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ICC judges order Taliban case split from Afghanistan probe that covers US troops
Mid East Eye: Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have ordered prosecutors to open a standalone investigation into allegations of gender persecution by the Taliban, separating it from the court’s long-running Afghanistan war crimes probe that covered US nationals, Middle East Eye can reveal. Since February 2025, the US has imposed retaliatory financial and visa sanctions on court officials in connection with the Afghanistan and Palestine investigations, citing efforts to prosecute nationals or allies of the US. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – August 7, 2026
Marmul Residents’ Nightly Nightmare: Taliban Harassment Takes a New Form in Balkh
8am: Several residents of Marmul district in Balkh province say that the Taliban have been raiding people’s homes for several nights, creating fear and terror among the district’s residents. According to Marmul residents, the Taliban had previously demanded that they turn off the lights installed outside their homes; however, now the owners of homes that do not have generators are facing harassment from the Taliban. These residents emphasize that the Taliban have demanded that people install generators, but many residents have neither electricity nor the ability to pay for the purchase and installation of a generator. Nevertheless, some residents claim that following the Taliban raids, one woman suffered a miscarriage out of fear, and another elderly woman fell ill from the intensity of her fear and is now bedridden. According to some women, many of the men in their families are absent from home during this season, and the Taliban’s raids on homes have caused a sharp increase in fear and anxiety among women. Click here to read more (external link).
Opposition Fighters ‘Seize’ Taliban Outpost In Northern Baghlan Province
Afghanistan International: Local sources told Afghanistan International that the Taliban’s opposition fighters seized a Taliban outpost in Deh Salah of Andarab district on Wednesday night seizing weapons and equipment following a rocket attack and clash. According to the information received, the outpost, about two kilometres from the centre of Deh Salah district in the Andarab valley, was attacked at around 10:20 pm on Wednesday. Sources said a clash followed the rocket attack, with gunfire and explosions heard in the area. Click here to read more (external link).
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Tolo News in Dari – August 6, 2026
US Warns UN That ISIS-K Continues to Exploit Instability in Afghanistan
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?
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
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).