U.S. Continues Weekly Fund Transfers To Afghanistan, Says Former SIGAR Chief

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John Sopko

Afghanistan International: John Sopko, the former U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), stated that the United States has spent over $21 billion on Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power. Despite the suspension of U.S. foreign aid, Sopko revealed that the U.S. continues to send money to Afghanistan on a weekly basis. According to a SIGAR report from August 2024, Washington has provided approximately $21 billion in aid to Afghanistan since 2021, primarily for humanitarian assistance, refugee relocation and resettlement, and the repayment of Afghanistan’s foreign assets. Sopko has previously stated that a significant portion of U.S. financial aid has ended up in Taliban hands.  Click here to read more external link).

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Sayyaf travels to Iran

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Sayaf

Amu: Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf, former jihadi leader and a senior member of the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan, has arrived in Iran for what Iranian media describe as a “medical visit.” Iranian state media reported Tuesday that during his visit, Sayyaf met with senior Iranian officials, though details of the discussions remain unclear. Click here to read more (external link).

Flash floods kill 21 in western Afghanistan: Sources

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Amu: At least 21 people were killed after sudden flash floods swept through a mountainous area in Qala-e-Kah district of western Farah province, local sources told Amu. The victims, who had traveled to the area for leisure, were caught off guard when the floods surged unexpectedly, throwing them into a deep ravine, the sources said. At least four others were injured, and several children were among the dead. Click here to read more (external link).

Taliban continues corporal punishment, flogging 20 Afghans over alleged adultery

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Ayaz Gul
VOA News
February 24, 2025

ISLAMABAD — Afghanistan’s hard-line Taliban authorities publicly flogged 20 men and women Monday on charges of adultery, rape, and engaging in “illegitimate relations.”

The Taliban’s Supreme Court reported that all defendants received sentences of 39 lashes each and prison terms ranging from one to seven years.

The punishments were carried out in the eastern Khost and central Parwan provinces, with residents, judicial, and government officials among the spectators.

Since regaining control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have publicly flogged hundreds of men and women. Most were charged with offenses such as adultery, sodomy, eloping, having illegitimate relations and robbery.

The number of Afghans subjected to flogging this month alone has reached 86, with 17 women among the victims, according to data from the top court.

The United Nations has condemned corporal punishment being conducted by the Taliban as a violation of international law and human dignity, calling for the practice to be halted immediately.

The Taliban government, which is not recognized by any country, defends its criminal justice system and overall governance by stating that they are aligned with Islamic law or Sharia and dismissing foreign criticism as misguided.

The de facto Afghan leaders have placed sweeping restrictions on women’s access to education and employment, effectively erasing most of them from public life in Afghanistan and drawing persistent calls from the U.N. to reverse what it condemns as “gender-apartheid.”

Hekmatyar: We need a legitimate government in Afghanistan

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Gulbuddin Hekmatyar

Ariana: Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a former jihadi leader, has expressed concern about the current situation in the country, saying Afghanistan faces “threats and gaps”. “We are facing significant gaps,” he said. “The country needs a heavy council. This is a void that needs to be filled. We need a legitimate government with clear responsibilities and powers. Unfortunately, today we do not have a national charter and a constitution.” Click here to read more (external link).

Taliban Governor Of Balkh Demands Military Trial For Deputy FM Abbas Stanekzai

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Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai

Afghanistan International: Documents obtained by Afghanistan International reveal that Mohammad Yousuf Wafa, the Taliban governor of Balkh, has filed a formal complaint with the Taliban Supreme Court, calling for a military trial of Abbas Stanekzai, the group’s deputy foreign minister. Wafa accused Stanekzai of “disrespecting” Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and opposing his decrees. Click here to read more (external link).

Afghanistan launches second round of polio vaccinations amid rising cases

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Child getting polio drops (file photo)

Amu: Afghanistan on Monday launched its second polio vaccination campaign of the year, aiming to immunize 6.3 million children under the age of five across 16 provinces, the Taliban-run Ministry of Public Health announced. The campaign seeks to curb the spread of polio, a disease that continues to threaten children, particularly in the country’s southern and eastern regions. Click here to read more (external link).

AFF Claims Responsibility For Bagram Airfield Attack, Says Three Taliban Members Killed

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Afghanistan International: The Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) announced on Sunday that it had carried out an attack at the fourth gate of Bagram Airfield, killing three Taliban members and injuring two others. The AFF is one of the armed groups opposed to the Taliban and has previously claimed responsibility for attacks on Taliban checkpoints and outposts. Click here to read more (external link).