Latest news with #IslamicEmirate
Times of Oman
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Around 30,000 Afghans returning daily from Iran, say Herat officials
Herat: Government officials have established facilities at the Islam Qala border crossing in Herat to help manage the increasing influx of Afghan returnees from Iran, with nearly half a million people having re-entered the country in just the past 20 days, TOLO News reported. The Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, Hamdullah Fitrat, visited Islam Qala and urged both the private sector and general public to assist with humanitarian support. "My call to all citizens, traders, and wealthy individuals is to come forward and join the Islamic Emirate in showing solidarity and compassion with these people," TOLO News quoted Fitrat as saying. According to local officials in Herat, an estimated 30,000 people are entering Afghanistan daily through the Islam Qala border. Abdul Ghani Kamil, the head of committees at Islam Qala and district governor of Kohsan, said: "Based on what we have seen over the past 15 to 20 days, nearly 500,000 migrants have likely returned, as around 30,000 people enter the country every day," TOLO News reported. Many of the returnees cited the harsh living conditions in Iran as their reason for returning and called on the caretaker government to provide employment opportunities. "We no longer intend to go to foreign countries. Even if we eat only a piece of bread, we want to live in our own country with dignity and honor," said Ahmad Zia, a returnee from Iran, in comments to TOLO News. Another returnee, Matiullah, echoed similar sentiments. "If these youth are provided with jobs, none of them will leave the country. They will work in their homeland and stay where they belong," TOLO News quoted him as saying. According to TOLO News, local officials in Herat reported that between 20,000 to 25,000 migrants return daily through Islam Qala alone. National figures also show that more than 4,000 Afghan migrants are returning daily through other major border points, including the Silk Bridge in Nimroz, Spin Boldak in Kandahar, and Torkham in Nangarhar, from both Iran and Pakistan.
Russia Today
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Russia seizes the initiative in Central Asia with bold Afghan move
Russia's recent decision to officially recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan marks a pivotal moment in regional diplomacy. It not only breaks the diplomatic blockade imposed on Kabul, but also underscores Moscow's ability to act independently and shape the rules of the geopolitical game. This is a major victory for Russian diplomacy in our strategic contest with the West. Much is often made of a state's economic or military strength, but global standing ultimately depends on a nation's ability to influence international norms and set the agenda. Russia's move to recognize the Taliban government is a prime example of such influence in action. It reaffirms our role as a central guarantor of Eurasian security, and shows our willingness to act in our national interest regardless of Western pressure. This recognition comes at a critical time. Afghanistan has spent the past four years in a state of political limbo. While few doubt the Taliban's control over the country, the international community, still shackled to a Western-dominated order, has refused to acknowledge Kabul's new reality. Yet for the first time in decades, the country has experienced relative peace. The Western powers, for whom Afghanistan is a geopolitical theatre far from home, have viewed it not as a security concern but as a means of meddling near the borders of Russia, China, and India. Their interest has never been in promoting genuine stability. The United States, in particular, has sought to prevent the international recognition of the Taliban government while simultaneously engaging it when convenient. This classic Anglo-American playbook – divide and manipulate – was once used on continental Europe and is now deployed across Eurasia. Russia's decision breaks this game. It shows we can act unilaterally to reset the regional status quo, forcing others to rethink their strategies. It also opens the door to political and economic gains – increased trade, closer ties with Central Asian allies, and a stronger regional role. But the most important dividend is geopolitical. The US strategy has been clear: block Kabul's reintegration into the international system. Washington has used issues like women's rights and minority protections as pretexts to justify non-recognition, even while maintaining back-channel contacts with the Taliban. It has also ensured that Afghan representatives at the UN continued to reflect the interests of the old US-backed regime –officials who, ironically, have voted for every anti-Russian resolution in the General Assembly since 2022. That era is ending. Russia's recognition is likely to be followed by that of other powers. The diplomatic siege of Kabul is broken, and Washington will be forced to recalibrate. For countries in Central Asia, long wary of engaging openly with Afghanistan due to a potential Western backlash, Moscow's move offers political cover and encouragement. The long-discussed trans-Afghan railway project, for instance, proposed by Uzbekistan five years ago, now stands a real chance of materializing. It would transform regional trade and connect Central Asia to the Indian Ocean. China, already active in Afghanistan, may also feel more confident in deepening ties with Kabul. Other regional players will likely follow suit. In doing so, they will bolster the region's economic and security architecture, one increasingly defined by Eurasian interests rather than Atlanticist interference. There are risks, of course. The least likely – but most dangerous – scenario would see opponents of Eurasian stability attempting to destabilize Afghanistan by funding anti-Taliban factions. But Russia's move aims to pre-empt precisely such outcomes. By bringing Kabul into the diplomatic fold, we reduce the chances of external meddling. It is worth stressing: for Russia, this decision is not about endorsing a specific political model. It is about recognizing geopolitical realities and acting in our own interest. The Taliban controls Afghanistan. Ignoring that fact serves no one's security. Looking ahead, the best-case scenario is that Russia's recognition catalyzes broader international acceptance, paving the way for investment, infrastructure, and an improved standard of living in Afghanistan. The country would retain its political structure – shaped by decades of conflict and foreign intervention – but gain the tools to function as a stable, integrated member of the Eurasian order. Washington may continue to pressure others to maintain the isolation of Kabul, but that pressure will now face real resistance. The balance is shifting. The longer the West clings to a failed strategy, the more it isolates itself from the emerging Eurasian reality. In conclusion, Russia has made a bold move. It is not just about Afghanistan – it is about asserting a world order that reflects multipolarity and respect for sovereign choices. Our friends in Central Asia, and eventually others across the Global South, will follow this lead. The age of Western vetoes over Eurasian affairs is coming to a close. With this recognition, Russia reaffirms its place not just as a regional power, but as a central architect of the post-Western world.
Russia Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Russia took Afghanistan without firing a shot
When Russia recognized the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan last week, it didn't just open a new embassy – it opened a new geopolitical front. For the first time since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, a major world player has gone beyond informal contacts and embraced Kabul's de facto rulers as legitimate partners. On July 1, Taliban envoy Gul Hassan presented copies of his credentials to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko. Two days later, Moscow made it official: the Islamic Emirate was now recognized – diplomatically, politically, and symbolically. The move followed a crucial domestic decision in April, when Russia removed the Taliban from its national list of terrorist organizations – a status that had persisted for more than twenty years. The Foreign Ministry framed the recognition as a pragmatic step toward security cooperation, economic dialogue, and regional stabilization. In Kabul, the reaction was swift. The Taliban welcomed the Russian gesture as a possible catalyst for wider international engagement. They had reason to – despite harsh rhetoric, even the West has kept indirect channels open. But no one had dared take the leap. Until now. This isn't Russia's first chapter in Afghan affairs. Back in 2021, it kept its embassy running while Western diplomats fled. And long before that, in 1989, Soviet troops withdrew from a decade-long war against the mujahideen, many of whom would go on to form the core of the modern Taliban. In that light, Moscow's latest decision seems less like a departure and more like continuity by other means. For Moscow, recognition is not just about diplomacy – it's about security. With formal ties in place, Russia now has a channel for demanding real cooperation from the Taliban on issues that matter most: containing radical groups and protecting Central Asia's fragile stability. The urgency is not theoretical. In March 2024, a deadly terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall shook the Russian capital. According to official reports, the perpetrators were linked to Khurasan Wilayah – a branch of ISIS that considers the Taliban too moderate and Russia an enemy. This incident shifted the calculus in the Kremlin. If the Taliban control the ground, then working with them – however distasteful to some – becomes a strategic necessity. In 2024, Vladimir Putin publicly referred to the Taliban as a partner in the fight against terrorism – a signal that Moscow views them not as a problem, but as part of the solution. Recognition is a way to formalize that logic – to move from ad-hoc contacts to structured expectations. Russia is not simply offering legitimacy; it is also asking for responsibility. With recognition comes access – and Afghanistan has plenty to offer. Rich in lithium, rare earth elements, and untapped mineral wealth, the country has become a target for global economic interests. Now that formal ties are in place, Russian companies can enter the market with legal cover and diplomatic support. But this isn't just about minerals. It's also about momentum. Russian exports are already flowing into Afghan markets, while Afghan agricultural products – from dried fruits to herbs – are showing up on store shelves in Russian regions. According to the Financial Times, Moscow is quietly building a trade corridor while others hesitate. Geography does the rest. Afghanistan sits at a crossroads – a land bridge between Central and South Asia, offering future access to Pakistan, India, and the Indian Ocean. For Russia, this is about more than strategy. It's about logistics. In an era of sanctions and shifting trade routes, every new corridor matters. Recognition is Moscow's ticket in – and it wants to be first at the table. In Washington and Brussels, Afghanistan is still viewed through the lens of defeat – a retreat, a failure, and a lingering embarrassment. Officially, the Taliban remain pariahs. Unofficially, backchannels are open. Diplomats talk, intelligence agencies coordinate. But no Western country has dared take the next step. Russia just did. Could this provoke new sanctions from the US or EU? Perhaps. But with Russia already under one of the harshest sanction regimes in modern history, the cost of further penalties is marginal. The ceiling has already been reached. Instead, recognition gives Moscow first-mover advantage – both in Kabul and across the region. While others worry about headlines, Russia is shaping realities on the ground. It is doing so not just with gas and guns, but with memory: in Central Asia, Russia still carries weight as a former security guarantor and post-Soviet stabilizer. That credibility now returns to the table. Russia has done this before. In 1997, it helped end a brutal civil war in Tajikistan by brokering a deal between warring factions. Those efforts are still remembered in Dushanbe – and they echo today. Tensions between the Taliban and Tajik authorities remain high. But Russia, trusted by both sides and embedded in regional security structures, is uniquely positioned to mediate. The same applies to Afghanistan's rocky relations with Turkmenistan, where border disputes and political distrust linger. This is where recognition becomes more than a headline – it becomes leverage. Moscow can now convene, propose, and shape talks that others can't. While Western powers watch from afar, Russia is turning Afghanistan from a global problem into a regional process. The ultimate play? Energy. With its early commercial footprint in Kabul and longstanding vision of an Eurasian energy corridor, Moscow sees Afghanistan not just as a risk to manage – but as a bridge to build.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
ICC issues arrest warrants for Taliban leaders for persecuting women and girls
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for two of the Taliban's top leaders, accusing them of persecuting women and girls in Hague-based court said there were "reasonable grounds" to believe Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani had committed a crime against humanity in their treatment of women and girls since seizing power in that time, they have implemented a series of restrictions, including on girls over the age of 12 accessing an education, and barring women from many jobs. There have also been restrictions on how far a woman can travel without a male chaperone, and decrees on them raising their voices in public. In a statement, the ICC said that "while the Taliban have imposed certain rules and prohibitions on the population as a whole, they have specifically targeted girls and women by reason of their gender, depriving them of fundamental rights and freedoms".The United Nations has previously described the restrictions as being tantamount to "gender apartheid". The Taliban government has said it respects women's rights in accordance with their interpretation of Afghan culture and Islamic became the supreme commander of the Taliban in 2016, and has been leader of the so-called Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan since US-led forces left the country in August 2021. In the 1980s, he participated in Islamist groups fighting against the Soviet military campaign in was a close associate of Taliban founder Mullah Omar and served as a negotiator on behalf of the Taliban during discussions with US representatives in 2020. The ICC investigates and brings to justice those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, intervening when national authorities cannot or will not it does not have its own police force and so relies on member states to carry out any prospect of warrants being issued for the two Taliban leaders was first raised in January, when the ICC's top prosecutor, Karim Khan, alleged they were "criminally responsible for persecuting Afghan girls and women, as well as persons whom the Taliban perceived as not conforming with their ideological expectations of gender identity or expression, and persons whom the Taliban perceived as allies of girls and women".At the time, the Taliban's foreign ministry responded to the threat of arrests, saying the ICC had turned a blind eye to what it described as "numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by foreign forces and their local allies", referring to US-led forces present in the country before Rights Watch welcomed the arrest warrants for the two Taliban leaders. It called on the ICC "to extend the reach of justice to victims of other Taliban abuses, as well as victims of the Islamic State of Khorasan Province forces, former Afghan security forces and US personnel". "Addressing cycles of violence and impunity in Afghanistan requires that victims of all perpetrators have equal access to justice," it said in a statement.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Afghanistan: Russia recognizes the Taliban government
"This brave decision will be an example for others." With these words, Amir Khan Muttaqi, foreign minister in Afghanistan's Taliban government, welcomed the announcement by Russia that it was officially recognizing the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. The Afghan Foreign Ministry wrote on X that this would be the start of "a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement." It also posted a video of the meeting in Kabul between Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, and Muttaqi, in which Muttaqi declares: "Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia was ahead of everyone." The Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Mr. Dmitry Zhirnov, called on IEA-Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan the meeting, the Ambassador of Russian Federation officially conveyed his government's decision to recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Afghanistan (@MoFA_Afg) July 3, 2025 The radical Islamist Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021 after the withdrawal of international troops. The government is not democratically elected, and enforces a severe interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. Girls and women are banned from attending school after the age of 12. Until now, no country in the world has recognized the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan. Afghanistan expert Conrad Schetter, the director of the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (bicc), commented that Russia may have very specific reasons for recognizing the Taliban. It may, he told DW, have considerable interests in establishing economic ties with Afghanistan, not least as a potential hub for trade with Asia. Russia has been under international sanctions since the start of the war in Ukraine. The Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace drew the same conclusion in a study published in 2024. "Russian officials have again begun speaking about using Afghanistan as a transit hub — for exporting Russian natural gas to India, and other goods to ports in Pakistan," it said. "However, this requires a gas pipeline to be built through the mountains, and a railroad, which currently ends at Mazar-i-Sharif at the Uzbek border, to be extended." Until now, the construction of a railroad from Russia to Pakistan via the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan has been nothing more than a pipe dream. If it were built, it would give Russia direct access to the Indian Ocean. According to a study by the consultancy SpecialEurasia published on Friday, Moscow is hoping that its formal recognition of Afghanistan means it will become a major supplier and economic partner for the country "by expanding trade in oil, gas, and wheat, and by collaborating on infrastructure, energy, and agriculture projects." Schetter believes that Moscow wants to be the trendsetter in establishing a new way of dealing with Afghanistan, and that this is probably also a major factor in the decision. "They're now hoping that other countries under authoritarian rule will follow suit," he says. "With this step, they want to assume a leading role among the autocratic states. This too is probably a significant motivation behind this decision." While Russia is the first country to recognize the Taliban officially, others, mostly countries under authoritarian rule, have maintained relations with the Taliban for some time. The Chinese embassy in Kabul is still open, for example, and meetings between the two countries have taken place at ministerial level. Iran also maintains diplomatic contacts with the Taliban, and it too has an embassy in Kabul. Pakistan has a close relationship with Afghanistan, despite political tensions caused by the activities of Sunni extremists along the border between the two countries. The region is seen as a breeding ground for extremist and terrorist activity around the world. The forced mass exodus of ethnic Afghans from Pakistan to Afghanistan shows the extent to which the two countries actually cooperate. Qatar is acting as an intermediary between the Taliban government and the West, and the 2020 Agreement between the US and Taliban governments that regulated the withdrawal of US troops was signed in Doha. Schetter comments that if these countries were to follow the Russian example, it would put considerable political pressure on Western states to do the same. "These states would then have to consider their attitude toward the Taliban. And this is precisely what could create a diplomatic dynamic that the Taliban now, because of this latest move by Russia, are more hopeful for." Afghan women's rights activists fear that Russia's recognition of the Taliban bodes ill for people in Afghanistan, especially women and girls. Shaharzad Akbar, the former chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, says the decision did not come as a surprise, but that it is very worrying, as it normalizes the Taliban's extensive crimes against their own people, especially women. "This recognition sends a signal to all countries that work against women and human rights, that oppress women, and base their politics on religion, repression, and ethnic affiliation," she says. Schetter is also concerned. "This step indicates that the international community prioritizes recognition of the Taliban over the observance of human rights," he says. "This is about sheer power politics, in which the question of human or women's rights really plays a very subordinate role." He believes there is reason to hope that the Taliban might grant women more rights again one day. "But this will have to happen according to the Taliban's rules. The current logic of the Islamist group in Afghanistan consists of depriving women of all their rights in order to reinstate them at some later stage. But this will happen based on a decision that the Taliban will make themselves, not as a result of international pressure. For now, though, the Taliban may feel that the recognition by Russia validates the domestic policy they're pursuing." This article has been translated from German.
