Russia first country to recognize Taliban rule
The announcement came after Aghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met the Russian ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul on Thursday.
"This brave decision will be an example for others... Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia was ahead of everyone," Muttaqi said in a video posted on X.
"We believe that the act of official recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will boost the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in several areas," Russia's foreign ministry shared on the Telegram app.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also said it would help Kabul tackle terrorism and drug-trafficking, while also boosting economic cooperation.
"The move signals that strategic interests will always outweigh human rights and international law," said Mariam Solaimankhil, a former member of Afghanistan's parliament and critic of the Taliban.
Afghanistan has seen decades of instability, including a 20-year war conducted by the US and other forces. This ended when the US withdrew its troops in 2021.
The Taliban grabbed back power in 2021 after ousting the government and have since then imposed strict Islamic law.
Moscow had earlier removed the Taliban from their list of terrorist organizations, and accepted an ambassador from their government.
Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2024 referred to the Taliban as "allies in the fight against terrorism."
They previously ruled the country during 1996-2001, when they were only recognized by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirate and Pakistan.
During this stint, some states such as China and Pakistan have accepted Taliban ambassadors without officially recognising the Islamic Emirate, as the country is officially known.
The Taliban government has clamped down on civil liberties of Afghans, especially on women and girls for which they have received international condemnation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
Afghan returnees from Iran face homelessness, joblessness; UNHCR seeks urgent aid
Kabul: A large number of Afghans recently deported from Iran are facing severe challenges, including homelessness, unemployment, and lack of immediate support, TOLO News reported. TOLO News stated that returnees have urged the caretaker government to take urgent and concrete steps to address their plight. They stressed that the trauma of exile should not be worsened by domestic hardship. Mohammad Sharif, who was deported from Iran, said: "We are currently lost, unsure of where to go or stay. I have three children, my wife is with me, and we have no job or shelter. We truly feel abandoned. Our only request from the Islamic Emirate is to find a solution for us." Meanwhile, the Pakistani government has stated that the extension of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards for Afghan migrants is under review. Authorities have been instructed not to take any action against PoR cardholders until a final decision is made. Malak Awal Shinwari, an Afghan migrant in Pakistan, said: "Among the issues migrants face are the actions of Pakistani police, especially against those who have PoR cards. These individuals should not be expelled, yet in some areas, the police are creating difficulties for Afghan migrants." Another Afghan migrant in Pakistan, Atiqullah Mansoor, said: "Our request to the Islamic Emirate is to act as soon as possible and engage with the host country's foreign ministry to simplify the visa and extension process for Afghan migrants." TOLO News reported that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned that the mass return of over 1.4 million people this year has created an unprecedented need for emergency humanitarian assistance. In a statement, the UNHCR said: "UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is urgently seeking funding to protect over 1.4 million people who have returned or been forced to return to Afghanistan so far this year, including over 1 million from Iran." Iranian media, quoting the governor of Taybad, reported that 38,000 Afghan migrants are being deported daily through the Dogharoon border crossing. Over 500,000 people have already been expelled through this route.
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Times of Oman
Pakistan: Army kills 30 militants at border to Afghanistan
The Pakistan military said it has killed more than 30 militants over the last three days in North Waziristan, a northern district that borders Afghanistan. The militants belonged to the Pakistani Taliban or affiliated groups, according to the Pakistan military. A suicide bomber killed 16 Pakistani soldiers in the same region last week in an attack that was claimed by the Pakistan Taliban. What has Pakistan said about the killings? On Friday, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised security forces for "thwarting an infiltration attempt". "The security forces demonstrated exceptional professionalism, vigilance preparedness, and prevented a potential catastrophe," a statement from his office said. "A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered." What's behind the recent violence? In April 2025, the Pakistan military killed 54 insurgents in the same area. Since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, violence in Pakistan's border regions has surged. In recent months, much of this violence has been blamed on the Pakistan Taliban. The group is separate, though closely allied to, the Afghan Taliban and operates in the northwest border with Afghanistan. Pakistan has largely laid the blame on Afghanistan for allowing militants to operate and has asked Afghanistan to prevent the use of its territory by "foreign proxies." Recently, Pakistan has also accused India of allegedly backing groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army and the Pakistani Taliban. Both Afghanistan and India have denied any involvement with militant groups. Accusations against India have increased since 26 civilians were killed in a shooting in the Kashmir region in April.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Times of Oman
Russia first country to recognize Taliban rule
Kabul: Afghanistan's Taliban government said on Thursday Russia had become the first nation to recognise its rule. The announcement came after Aghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met the Russian ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul on Thursday. "This brave decision will be an example for others... Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia was ahead of everyone," Muttaqi said in a video posted on X. "We believe that the act of official recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will boost the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in several areas," Russia's foreign ministry shared on the Telegram app. The Russian Foreign Ministry also said it would help Kabul tackle terrorism and drug-trafficking, while also boosting economic cooperation. "The move signals that strategic interests will always outweigh human rights and international law," said Mariam Solaimankhil, a former member of Afghanistan's parliament and critic of the Taliban. Afghanistan has seen decades of instability, including a 20-year war conducted by the US and other forces. This ended when the US withdrew its troops in 2021. The Taliban grabbed back power in 2021 after ousting the government and have since then imposed strict Islamic law. Moscow had earlier removed the Taliban from their list of terrorist organizations, and accepted an ambassador from their government. Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2024 referred to the Taliban as "allies in the fight against terrorism." They previously ruled the country during 1996-2001, when they were only recognized by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirate and Pakistan. During this stint, some states such as China and Pakistan have accepted Taliban ambassadors without officially recognising the Islamic Emirate, as the country is officially known. The Taliban government has clamped down on civil liberties of Afghans, especially on women and girls for which they have received international condemnation.
