British diplomat reaffirmed support, continued contacts, Taliban say

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Amu: Taliban say that Robert Dickson, Britain’s chargé d’affaires for Afghanistan, met on Friday in Kabul with Abdul Kabir, the Taliban’s acting minister for refugees, and reaffirmed London’s commitment to continue humanitarian support to Afghanistan and maintain contacts with them. According to a statement from the Taliban, Dickson told Taliban officials that the United Kingdom had allocated 1.1 billion Afghanis (approximately $15 million) in aid for Afghan returnees, to be distributed through United Nations agencies. He also expressed Britain’s intention to maintain open lines of communication with the Taliban, despite the lack of formal diplomatic recognition. Click here to read more (external link).

Over 200 Former Afghan Troops Killed Since UK Data Leak, Says Report

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Afghanistan International: More than 200 former Afghan soldiers and police officers have reportedly been identified and killed by the Taliban since the leak of personal data belonging to Afghans who worked with British forces, according to an investigation by The Daily Telegraph. In a report published Wednesday, the British newspaper revealed that the killings began after a list containing details of approximately 19,000 UK-affiliated Afghans was leaked online in February 2022. While it remains unclear whether all the victims were on the leaked list, The Telegraph noted that the UK government has not released the names of those affected. Citing two Taliban officials, the report said a special Taliban unit known as “Yarmok 60” was assigned to track down and detain individuals named on the list. The unit has reportedly carried out arrests and executions across several provinces. Click here to read more (external link).

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Tajikistan Begins Forced Deportation of Afghan Refugees Ahead of Expiry of 15-Day Deadline

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Khaama: As the 15-day deadline set by Tajik authorities for Afghan refugees nears its end, reports indicate that the government has already begun forcefully deporting more individuals. According to multiple sources, over 150 people were rounded up from local markets and public areas yesterday and deported from the country. Among those deported are men, women, elderly individuals, and minors under the age of 18. In many cases, families have been separated—children deported while their parents remain in Tajikistan, or spouses removed while their partners and children are left behind. The abrupt and aggressive nature of the deportations has caused widespread distress among the Afghan refugee community. Click here to read more (external link).

Russia Calls for Inclusive Political Structure in Afghanistan, Highlighting Ethnic Representation

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Lavrov

Khaama: Russia emphasizes the need for an inclusive political structure in Afghanistan, stressing the importance of ethnic representation in governance. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, at the conclusion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting in China, called for “national unity” in Afghanistan and the involvement of various ethnic and political groups in the country’s power structure. Lavrov emphasized that nearly all members of the organization have strengthened their bilateral relations with the Taliban. Click here to read more (external link).

Forced Repatriation Of Afghan Migrants Could Trigger Greater Threats, Warns Karzai

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Hamid Karzai

Afghanistan International: Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai warned that the forced repatriation of Afghan migrants under current conditions would not resolve the migration crisis but could instead lead to “more serious threats.” Click here to read more (external link).

More Afghan Refugees/Migrants News

Steel Diplomacy: Central Asia’s Southern Push via Afghanistan

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The Times of Central Asia: The United States and its allies may be uneasy about the Taliban’s return to power, given their extremist history, continued repression, and the collapse of decades-long Western efforts in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, the Taliban is strengthening ties with the Global South—particularly Central Asia—in search of investment for railway infrastructure. For landlocked Central Asian nations, Afghanistan is a key transit point on the shortest route to the Arabian Sea, offering an alternative to routes through Russia, China, or westward via the Caspian. Click here to read more (external link).