Latest News
UNSC meets behind closed doors to discuss Sinirlioglu’s report on Afghanistan
The United Nations Security Council held a closed door session on Tuesday to assess the report on how the UN should address Afghanistan’s issues that was submitted by Feridun Sinirlioglu, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Afghanistan.
According to the assessment, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) desire for recognition could prove crucial to creating an inclusive government and ensuring respect for women’s rights.
The report outlines a strategy for political engagement to reintegrate Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021.
After having spent “extensive time” in Afghanistan, Sinirlioglu said the situation of women and girls – and the restrictions on education in particular – “was the single most common issue” raised in consultations.
Sinirlioglu said the IEA has tried to justify these restrictions as being part of Islam and Afghan tradition, though no similar restrictions exist in any other member state of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
“The basic rights of women and girls, including the right to education and to work, and representation in public and political life, are not only fundamental obligations of a state but also critical to build state capacity for long-term development and economic growth and peace and security,” read the assessment.
“Any formal reintegration of Afghanistan into global institutions and systems will require the participation and leadership of Afghan women.”
The IEA has however repeatedly said the decrees issued have been to protect women’s basic rights.
In a statement issued last week in response to the UN’s assessment, the IEA said that hundreds of thousands of women continue to work in the public sector, specifically in education, health, security and other ministries. “Approximately 23.4% of all civil servants are women,” the document read.
The IEA also stated that a major initiative to promote women entrepreneurs has been launched; that it has rounded up thousands of street beggars – majority of which were women. These women now receive a regular stipend.
The IEA also said it has a strong central government, which extends to all corners of the country, and has unified Afghanistan politically and socially.
The assessment recommended that the UN pursue an inclusive form of governance and engage with all Afghans.
It said that pursuing “intra-Afghan dialogue” would enable progress towards the complete normalization and integration of Afghanistan into the international system.
“Afghanistan is a diverse, multi-ethnic, multi-sectarian, multi-linguistic and multicultural society,” the report said.
“The inclusion of all Afghan communities in the nation’s governance structures is central to the social and political stability of Afghanistan.”
Reports meanwhile indicate that in the meeting behind closed doors at the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Malta’s ambassador to the UN, Vanessa Frazier, highlighted concerns over the political, humanitarian, security and human rights situation in Afghanistan.
“This was in response to the independent assessment, produced by Feridun Sinirlioglu, which was tasked to consider the current challenges faced by Afghanistan,” Ms Frazier said.
Amongst these concerns, Malta said, were the lack of inclusive governance, the humanitarian crisis, the continued security risk posed by terrorist groups, and the deeply concerning human rights situation, including of women and girls.
However, the UAE’s National reported that in an open letter to the UN, 71 Afghan civil society organizations, networks and coalitions in Afghanistan and in exile, expressed “deep reservations” about the report.
They found the assessment to be “influenced by the security and geopolitical interests of the member states and regional powers, rather than the need and plight of the Afghanistan people”.
They believe the report is developed based on a “pre-assumed policy of appeasement and engagement” with the IEA without considering recommendations of women, civil society and other groups, the National reported.
Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met on Thursday with Sadin Ayyıldız, Chargé d’Affaires of the Turkish Embassy in Kabul. During the meeting, Ayyıldız invited the Minister of Industry and Commerce to participate in Turkey’s Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Industry, the meeting also emphasized the economic, trade, and historical relations between Kabul and Ankara, as well as the export of Afghan goods to Turkey.
The two sides discussed increasing trade volume between the two countries, strengthening economic relations, facilitating and enhancing commercial activities, cooperation in road transport along various routes, activating the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, and regional cooperation.
Azizi, while thanking Turkey for inviting the Islamic Emirate to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, introduced the Ministry’s technical team to ensure better coordination and planning.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum is an international conference held annually in Turkey, aimed at examining global challenges and finding joint solutions through dialogue and diplomacy. It hosts representatives from more than 100 countries, including presidents, leaders, high-ranking officials, international organizations, analysts, and media from various countries.
Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate, in a telephone conversation initiated by Mohammad Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, discussed regional developments, particularly the recent situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said in a statement that Hassan Akhund stated during the call that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s principled position is clear and that it believes in resolving issues through mutual understanding and cooperation.
Hassan Akhund added that during Eid al-Fitr, at the request of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, the Islamic Emirate demonstrated its goodwill by respecting a pause in defensive operations.
He stated that violence benefits no party and that actions that increase tensions should be avoided, emphasizing that wisdom and rationality must guide efforts to resolve problems.
He also expressed concern over rising regional tensions following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
The Malaysian Prime Minister also expressed concern about the regional situation and hoped that the temporary halt in hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan would continue, and that existing problems could be resolved through sincere negotiations and understanding.
He added that Malaysia aims to play a positive role in facilitating understanding between both parties.
Israel’s defence minister says that an Israeli air strike has killed Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ navy.
The killing was carried out “last night, in a precise and lethal operation” and targeted other “senior officers of the naval command”, said Israel Katz, in a video statement.
“The man who was directly responsible for the terrorist operation of mining and blocking the Strait of Hormuz to shipping was blown up and eliminated,” he claimed.
Since the start of the joint US-Israeli war on Iran on February 28, Israel has announced the assassination of several top Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Islamic Republic ‘s powerful security chief, Ali Larijani.
Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi, reporting from Tehran, said there was no official Iranian confirmation yet of Tangsiri’s killing.
“But if it’s true it’s going to be another major blow for a country that has already experienced a lot of military commanders being killed” since the war began, he said.
The head of the Basij paramilitary forces, Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani, and Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib were also assassinated in Israeli attacks.
Moreover, in recent days, Israeli forces have carried out several strikes targeting the naval assets of Iran.
Last week, Israeli airstrikes hit several Iranian naval ships in the Caspian Sea, including ones equipped with missile systems, support vessels, and patrol craft.
Tahawol: Discussion on day 27 of Iran–US war
Turkey invites IEA’s commerce minister to Antalya Diplomacy Forum
Saar: Islamic Emirate confident of Durand Line control
Afghan, Malaysian PMs discuss situation between Kabul and Islamabad
Myanmar trump Afghanistan 2-1 in Asian Cup Qualifier
Pakistani military jet downed in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad, pilot captured alive
Afghan Air Force conducts airstrikes in Islamabad, other cities
Prominent Muslim scholar issues fatwa calling for Afghanistan-Pakistan ceasefire
Afghan air force strikes key Pakistani military installations in retaliatory operation
IEA: Special circle in Pakistan has launched mission to destabilize region
Tahawol: Discussion on day 27 of Iran–US war
Saar: Islamic Emirate confident of Durand Line control
Tahawol: Efforts to release Mohammad Rahim from Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp
Saar: End of ceasefire between Afghanistan-Pakistan reviewed
Tahawol: Escalating threats between Iran-US discussed
-
Latest News5 days agoDeadly violence likely without dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan: ICG
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistan seeks Russian mediation to resolve Afghanistan tensions
-
Sport5 days agoAfghanistan secures third place at 2026 World Kokpar Championship
-
International Sports5 days agoFIFA World Cup 2026: Play-Off Tournament takes centre stage
-
Business5 days agoAfghani strengthens nearly 10% against US dollar amid banking sector reforms
-
Latest News4 days agoWorld must re-engage to prevent all-out Afghanistan-Pakistan war: Financial Times
-
Sport3 days agoAfghanistan squad hit by withdrawals ahead of AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers
-
Latest News3 days agoAround 2.3 million tourists visited Afghanistan’s recreational areas during Eid: Ghufran