Latest News
Muttaqi urges IFRC to increase support to Afghan returnees
Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Alexander Matheou, Regional Director for Asia Pacific of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), on Tuesday and urged him to intensify efforts to support returning Afghan refugees, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Muttaqi expressed appreciation for the IFRC’s services in Afghanistan and emphasized the importance of the organization’s effective collaboration with vulnerable communities across various sectors, the statement read.
He urged all international humanitarian organizations, particularly the IFRC to expand their support for needy returnees.
He specifically pointed out that the recent surge in returning Afghan migrants from Pakistan and Iran has created an urgent need for the provision of shelter, safe drinking water, healthcare services, and livelihood opportunities.
Muttaqi further called for the establishment of well-equipped and standardized clinics within the country to treat children suffering from heart conditions.
In response, Alexander Matheou stated that approximately 300 clinics and hospitals in Afghanistan are currently supported by the IFRC, and pledged to continue and expand the organization’s healthcare assistance in the country.
Matheou also thanked the Islamic Emirate for its cooperation in facilitating humanitarian operations and the equitable delivery of services, promising to intensify efforts to support cardiac patients and provide broader assistance to vulnerable Afghans.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation, expansion of humanitarian aid, and increased financial and logistical support for healthcare centers across Afghanistan.
Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, said that a mortar shell of the Pakistani military regime hit Shanpat area of Nari district of Kunar province at 9:30 am on Sunday, killing one civilian and wounding another.
The injured person is a woman, he said.
Pakistani forces also opened fire on a civilian vehicle in Shakin district of Paktika province, but no casualties were reported, Fitrat said.
The Pakistani government had earlier announced that it would halt its attacks on Afghanistan until Monday night on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Germany was not informed of the appointment of a new Afghan diplomat in Berlin, according to a report by public broadcaster ARD, raising fresh questions about the Islamic Emirate’s expanding control over overseas missions.
The report states that an IEA-linked official has assumed the role of chargé d’affaires at Afghanistan’s embassy in Berlin without prior approval from the German government. Under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, host countries must consent to such diplomatic appointments.
Germany does not formally recognize the IEA government, which returned to power in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces.
Undisclosed leadership role
According to ARD, the official—identified as Nebrasul H.—arrived in Berlin in July last year as a junior consular staff member, a position approved by German authorities. However, documents obtained by the broadcaster suggest he was also quietly appointed to lead the embassy.
He is reportedly acting as chargé d’affaires, effectively heading the mission and liaising directly with Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry in Kabul.
The move highlights the IEA’s efforts to consolidate authority over Afghan diplomatic missions abroad, despite lacking broad international recognition.
Berlin ‘not notified’
Germany’s Foreign Ministry said it had received “no notification of any personnel changes” at Afghan diplomatic missions in the country.
Berlin has consistently maintained that Afghan embassies should remain under representatives appointed by the former government of Ashraf Ghani, which was ousted in 2021.
Previous envoy sidelined
The report also claims that the previous head of mission, Abdul P., has been stripped of his authority and reduced to a largely symbolic role. He was originally appointed under the Ghani administration.
Despite being sidelined, he remains in Berlin, reportedly continuing to live in the ambassador’s residence and retaining diplomatic privileges.
Wider diplomatic shift
In a related development, ARD reported that another Afghan official who arrived alongside Nebrasul H. has assumed a leadership role at the Afghan consulate in Bonn, also without formal recognition from German authorities.
The developments suggest a broader strategy by the IEA to assert control over Afghanistan’s diplomatic presence in Europe, even in countries that do not officially recognize its rule.
Sebastian Gorka, Deputy Assistant to U.S. President Donald Trump, says efforts are ongoing to secure the release of all Americans detained in Afghanistan.
In a post on X, Gorka marked the anniversary of the release of George Glezmann, who had been held for 836 days, describing his detention as part of what he called the Islamic Emirate’s use of “hostage diplomacy.”
He added that Trump “will not rest” until all Americans held in Afghanistan are freed, naming detainees including Dennis Coyle, Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and Polynesus Jackson.
“Kabul, you have been warned,” he said.
The remarks come amid increased US pressure, including a recent designation by U.S. State Department labeling Afghanistan a “state sponsor of wrongful detention.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has described the decision as regrettable, emphasizing that disputes should be addressed through dialogue.
The ministry, said that citizens of no country are detained in Afghanistan for bargaining purposes. Instead, some individuals have been arrested on charges of violating the law, many of whom have later been released after completing legal procedures.
Pakistani military violates Afghanistan ceasefire again
IEA allegedly appoints envoy to Berlin embassy ‘without Germany’s approval’
Tahawol: Pakistan’s efforts to destabilise Afghanistan
Saar: Decline in international assistance to Afghanistan
Afghanistan secures third place at 2026 World Kokpar Championship
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: Pakistan’s efforts to destabilise Afghanistan
Saar: Decline in international assistance to Afghanistan
Tawsia: Assessment of Afghanistan’s economic activities in 1404
Tahawol: Temporary ceasefire draws broad support
Saar: Emphasis on resolving conflicts through diplomacy
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistan opposes normal Afghanistan–India relations: Shaheen
-
Latest News4 days agoIEA announces temporary pause in defensive operations against Pakistan for Eid
-
Sport5 days agoAfghanistan national buzkashi team defeats Hungary 14–0
-
Latest News4 days agoKarzai accuses Pakistan of seeking to destabilise Afghanistan after Kabul strike
-
Latest News3 days agoPakistani shelling hits Kunar districts despite ‘pause in hostility’ over Eid
-
Latest News5 days agoWHO Chief urges Kabul and Islamabad to prioritize peace
-
Regional5 days agoIsrael’s Katz says Iran’s security chief killed, Tehran strikes Gulf neighbours
-
Regional4 days agoIran strikes Tel Aviv with cluster warheads in retaliation for killing of security chief