Khaama: Women and girls in Afghanistan describe their lives under the rule of the Taliban administration as ‘a gradual death.’ According to human rights defenders, the current situation in Afghanistan is not desirable for any human being, and they ask the Taliban to modify its policies towards women. Still, after more than two years, no change has occurred in the Taliban’s approach to women’s freedoms. The group has openly refused to accept women’s freedoms and has increased its restrictions against them. The growing restrictions have led to an increase in suicides among women and girls, nearly doubled their mental and psychological problems, and severely limited their access to open environments and medical centres. Click here to read more (external link).
While Ukrainians Welcomed, Poland’s Afghans Say They Face Hardship And Exclusion
As many as 1,500 Afghans were airlifted to Poland after the Taliban retook Kabul in August 2021, and many say they face economic hardship in the country and are no longer receiving help from the state. They say Poland has prioritized support for the 1.6 million Ukrainians taken in since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
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Rising Poverty and Taliban Oppression: One in Three Children Faces Hunger Crisis
Taliban militants (file photo)
8am: With the Taliban’s control over Afghanistan, the United Nations and other relief agencies have described the economic situation in the country as dire. Meanwhile, residents of the country are concerned about the continued unemployment, the spread of poverty, and the Taliban’s indifference to providing services. They say that with the arrival of the winter season, their problems have multiplied, and many children are forced to engage in difficult work alongside the streets. Click here to read more (external link).
Life under Taliban Rule
Tolo News in Dari – December 17, 2023
Pakistani official: Supporting terrorists will sink Afghanistan
Ariana: Minister for Information of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, Jan Achakzai, on Saturday warned Afghanistan that supporting and harbouring terrorists will sink the country. He added that Pakistan’s foreign ministry has shared evidence with Kabul that shows terrorists have sanctuaries in Afghanistan and they are provided with weapons, but Kabul still plays a double game, which is unacceptable. Click here to read more (external link).
UN Chief: Taliban’s exiled opposition becomes more active
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
Khaama: According to the report, while the political opposition in exile has become more active, the armed forces opposing the Taliban have not posed “any challenge” to the Taliban’s control of the territory in the past three months. The report also mentions that the Afghanistan Freedom Front was the most active military group opposing the Taliban during the reporting period, while the National Resistance Front was much less active than in 2022. According to the report, the National Resistance Front has not attacked Panjshir in the last three months. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban Ministry of Defense Detains 9 Tajik-Origin Fighters in Takhar Province
8am: It is noteworthy that ethnic tensions, stemming from the predominantly Pashtun composition of the Taliban in Afghanistan, may be contributing to the detainment of Tajik individuals associated with the group in certain provinces. Click here to read more (external link).
Oppressed by the Taliban, she swallowed acid. Now her siblings are trying to save her life
CNN: Experts say reliable statistics on suicide and suicide attempts aren’t compiled in Afghanistan, but rights groups and doctors say they’ve seen an increase under Taliban rule. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – December 16, 2023
Political Instability Hinders Pakistan Response to DI Khan Attack
Michael Hughes: The rulers in Kabul from an “official” perspective have a level of plausible deniability with respect to the recent attack on a military barracks in northwest Pakistan. That is, as of now, there is no direct evidence the current de facto Afghan government was involved in the attack’s planning, resourcing, and/or execution. The fingerprints are not clear. Sort of reminds one of terror attacks inside Afghanistan that everyone and their cousin knew would not be possible without support from Rawalpindi. Click here to read more.